PLATEAU PEACE PRACTITIONERS NETWORK
(PPPN)
21st May,
2014
PRESS STATEMENT.
THIS SPREE OF KILLING OF INNOCENT CITIZENS
MUST STOP.
The peaceful atmosphere that
have prevailed in recent times in the city of Jos, Plateau state, North Central
Nigeria was yesterday disturbed by twin bomb explosions that occurred within an
interval of 23minutes at the popular and ever busy terminus/railway area of
Jos; a business area with a bee hive of activities, resulting in the death of over
50 people, leaving scores of persons injured and others possibly maimed for
life.
The concerted effort by
state and non state actors aimed at rebuilding relationships, promoting a
culture of peace, social cohesion, strengthening and consolidating on the peace
building process have yielded positive results as seen from the restoration of
relationships, social and community re-integration, community resilience, religious
freedom and tolerance as well as provision of dividends of democracy by the
state government especially in the areas of infrastructural development. All these
are made possible only in the atmosphere of peace.
However, the twin explosions
that rocked the city yesterday afternoon at about around 2:51pm by yet to be
identified groups is an attempt to break our renewed bond of friendship that cuts
across religious and ethnic lines and to also disrupt the peace enjoyed by all
in the state.
The Plateau Peace
Practitioners Network (PPPN), a coalition of all the NGOS/CSOS both local and
international that works in the area of peace-building, human rights, good
governance and development in Plateau state raises her voice in total condemnation
of this horrible and gruesome murder of innocent men and women, including
children who went about their normal and routine business of seeking just and
honest means of livelihood.
There is and will never be
any justifiable reason for such attack and violence on innocent citizen. We
believe and see this as an attempt to further break down the trust and
confidence amongst residents of the city and a deliberate desire to sow a seed
of discord in the hearts of men. We commend and appreciate the resilience of communities
that did not give rooms to disorderliness, and violence to excel as the
perpetrators have so wished.
Our hearts go to the
families of victims of the bomb explosion, some of whom still wait in
anticipation the return of their loved ones. May God be their consolation and
may the souls of those who died in the explosion rest in peace. Amen.
We commend also the efforts
of government, security agencies, CSOs/NGOS, media practitioners, and well-meaning
Nigerians that were at hand to rescue victims and provide relief for those
affected. We also commend medical personnel that were on hand to receive
victims of the blast. Such show of love and solidarity is a demonstration of
our common heritage as humans which should not be broken by any negative ploy
or attempt.
We wish to appeal to the
general public not to give in to any attempt by disgruntled groups or persons
to cause chaos and further violence in the city and state at large. We should
rather rally around victims and their families to give them the needed support
while we also remain vigilant and security conscious. Violence or any form of reprisals
will do us no good, but rather cause more hardship for all.
We therefore call on government
at all levels and security agencies to make concerted efforts to avert future occurrences
through pro-active measures and to also ensure that perpetrators of this
horrible inhuman act are brought to justice.
We continue to work and pray
for a peaceful and just Plateau.
Godwin Okoko Chris
Ogbonna
President Secretary
For
further inquiry: contact Godwin Okoko (President 08061296216), Chris Ogbonna
(Secretary 08036188200), or Mildred Bako (P.R.O 07061387896). E-mail: plateaupeacepn@yahoo.com.
