The city of Jos, Plateau State, once again erupted on Saturday, following the disappearance of nine people believed to have been waylaid and killed while returning from a wedding in Mangu Local Government Area of the state.
According to a statement issued by the Ulama/Elders Council Plateau State, signed by its secretary, Barrister Lawal Isaq, made available to Sunday Tribune in Jos, the council said that some Muslim youths were attacked on their way from a wedding of their friend. According to the council, the vehicle conveying eight of them, a Mazda wagon, was declared missing and the entire occupants believed to have been killed, adding that the driver of the vehicle called the groom on phone and while screaming, informed him that they were going to be killed.
It pointed out that the line went off subsequently, adding that, that was the last communication from the occupants of the vehicle.
It added that the second vehicle, a Carina, with eight other guests that missed their settlement and were on their way to Jos , was stopped by four youths at Bugal but the occupants escaped and reported the incidence to the military post at Mangu Halle.
Sunday Tribune learnt that it was the information of the disappearance of the nine people that sparked up a fresh row in Jos on Saturday as some youths within the city trooped out for reprisal attack. The melee that ensued caused a stampede.
Sunday Tribune gathered that youths at different parts of Jos mounted road blocks to protect their areas and attacked people at random while smoke of burning tires enveloped the air.
As at the time of filing this report, it was gathered that four corpses were found at Masalasi, Tina Junction, with scores of people wounded. At Bauchi road, a luxury bus heading for Gombe State was badly damaged while the occupants escaped with various degrees of injuries.
Speaking with Sunday Tribune on phone, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abdulraham Akano, who confirmed the skirmishes, said nine people were declared missing while returning from a wedding in Mangu Local Government area of the state on Friday.
Mr. Akano further stated that the pandemonium might also be as a result of the fracas at the Congress for Progressive Change, adding that the fracas ensued as a result of change of venue for the congress.
According to him, when some aggrieved members discovered the new venue, altercations ensued leading to physical confrontation, adding that in the melee, three vehicles were burnt and one person killed.
However, the State Public Relation Officer of CPC, Mallam Jamilu Baba told Sunday Tribune that the change of venue did not cause any fracas at the congress, adding that the State Commissioner of Police did not get what transpired at the venue of the congress right.
Mallam Baba also said it would be mischievous for any group or person to link Saturday incident in Jos to the congress of the CPC.
Governor Jonah Jang, in a reaction, directed Special Task Force and the police to immediately step in and restore peace in the affected areas.
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