Jos: 14 Feared Killed in Fresh Violence

Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State

 

About 14  people were reportedly killed in Jos, Plateau State in the early hours of Saturday in a fresh round of violence that ensued between the military Special Task Force meant to restore peace and the students of the University of Jos.

Eye witnesses around Faringada area of Jos told THISDAY, in their accounts that at least two fuel stations, cars and several houses were burnt in the area including the Saduana Memorial Secondary School.

The state’s Police Commissioner, MrAbdulRahmanAkano, however, downplayed the death toll from latest outbreak of violence, stating that only two people were killed while 14 were injured. No student, he said, was killed in the incident.

Also, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Sonny Tyoden, who confirmed the incident put the number of injured students at 14, adding that academic activities have been temporary suspended, just as the council would meet on Monday (tomorrow) to decide whether or not to close the school.

The Chief Medical Director of Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Dr. George Chima, confirmed that a total of 24 injured persons were brought to his hospital, including one that was dead on arrival. He said the hospital was trying its best to save those in critical conditions.

The state government decried the shooting of unarmed students by the soldiers, describing it as a failure to observe rules of engagement. Speaking to newsmen on the development, the state Commissioner of Information and Communication, Honourable Greg Yenlong said, “I speak to you today with a heavy heart that unarmed students protesting an act of injustice done to their colleagues were shot by some members of STF, when simple rules of engagement says they shouldn’t shoot women, children and unarmed citizens.”

Describing the attitude of some members of the STF as worrisome, Yenlong said the police would have known how to control the students with tear-gas, without having to shoot at the students, adding that “it is a very sad development, and government is concerned about it.”

He further reiterated the call that as chief security officers of states, governors should be given the power to direct commissioners of police in their states to restore law and order.

 

Trouble began on Friday evening at about 6.30 pm when two students were stabbed by Muslim youths when an argument ensued between them at the university main gate.

This led to a protest by the students who mobilised and gathered on the highway in front of the Village Hostel.

Members of the STF were said to have immediately moved in to restore order, but pandemonium ensued leading to the shooting of 14 students.

The incident resulted in confusion in the entire university community as students in the Abuja Hostel and Students’ Village Hostel scampered for safety following sporadic gun shots fired into the air by the soldiers in attempts to disperse the crowd.

The angry students were said to have remobilised for another protests yesterday morning, a development that snowballed into a full blown riot that escalated to Faringada area of the city where lives and property were wasted, with soldiers accused of shooting and killing sporadically.