Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday condemned the renewed ethno-religious crises in Jos, Plateau State.
In a statement issued in Kaduna by its national publicity secretary, Anthony N.Z. Sani, they stated, “Arewa Consultative Forum is sad over reports that the sectarian crises in Jos have resumed vigorously with circle of revenges in scale that unleashed untold hardship on innocent people of Jos. These attitudes and actions by the feuding members of the two religions are in clear violation of the teachings by all faiths, including Islam and Christianity, which preach peace, love and tolerance, as well as core values of humanity.”
The organisation further argued that, “There is no fact of history which suggests that conflicts are ever resolved to attain permanent peace through armed struggles. This is because peace which all religions teach come only through peace talks that brings about genuine reconciliations that go with true forgiveness. For the sake of one God whom we all profess to worship, and in the interest of peaceful coexistence needed for socioeconomic development of our nation, ACF appeals to all the warring factions in Jos conflicts to please sheathe their swords and embrace peace that comes with reconciliations and forgiveness. ACF says this because unending resort to an eye for an eye can only leave all of us blind eventually.
Enough of the mindless, unreligious carnages in Jos, Plateau State of Nigeria. And finally, ACF condole all those who have lost their dear ones and properties in the crises. May God provide them with all it takes to endure what cannot be changed and the capacity to replace the lost properties with many folds.”
Similarly, the former United States envoy to Nigeria, Ambassador John Campbell, has stated that ethnic cleansing is imminent in Jos; capital of Plateau State on the account of lingering ethno-religious feud he said is deepening in the state without solution.