Ebun Francis Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong on Friday confirmed the death of two persons from the violence that erupted in Jos Thursday evening between the Igbo and Hausa elements in the city.
The governor while confirming the deaths at a meeting with stake holders, also noted that some people were injured from the violence and were currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.
He called on community and religious leaders to show leadership by ensuring peaceful coexistence among their people.
The Gover said, “Community leaders must ensure peace in their domains, I as a governor, I cannot be everywhere, you must ensure that peace reigns. Let us talk to our youth to avoid taking laws into their hands.”
“Government will handle the situation effectively, nobody is above the law,” he said.
“Our security operatives are up and doing. Anyone found wanting will face the full wrath of the law, that is why we imposed curfew.
“We will ensure maximum security measures in all parts of the state to ensure that no citizen is harmed. As I speak with you, similar meetings are ongoing in all our local government councils.”
The meeting of the governor with the community and religious leaders later went into a closed door session.
Earlier, the director of publicity of the Jama’atu Nasir Islam, JNI, Plateau State branch, Sani Mudi, appealed to Muslims not to tag the riot in Jos as a religious violence.
“We should know that this is a political problem and government seems to be on top of it. We should, therefore, avoid giving it any sort of religious colouration,” he said.
JNI is a foremost Islamic coalition in Northern Nigeria, headed by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar.