Tension over fresh killings in Jos

There is currently tension in Jos, Plateau state capital, following the crisis which erupted in three communities in the ancient town over the weekend.

The crisis was said to have begun after the corpse of a boy was found in Dutse Uku, a border town between two communities on Sunday.

Following the discovery of the corpse, some aggrieved youth were said to have taken to the streets, torching houses and attacking people.

Among the affected communities are Cele Bridge and Rikkos. It is unclear the number of people who were killed and those who sustained injuries.

A resident, who did not want to be named told TheCable that 10 houses were set ablaze on Sunday.

He said the crisis had been on since the 2019 elections but it escalated on Sunday. According to him, over four corpses had been found at Dutse Uku in the last four months.

Terna Tyopev, spokesman of the Plateau police command, confirmed the attacks but said the police and other security agencies were in control.

“We are still on the field. The only thing I can say is that yesterday there was tension. There was a corpse that was discovered at Dutse Uku which raised a lot of tension at Cele Bridge, Rikkos, Angwan Damisa behind St Michaels, and the adjoining areas. But we were able to bring it under control,” he told TheCable.

“Investigation is ongoing and after this, the cause of the crisis would be revealed but if you look at the places I am talking about, Christians and Muslims are living in those area. So, it is not good to come to a conclusion that any group is responsible.

“We are putting everything in order. Immediately we come back from the field, we will inform the press adequately.”