BLACK and bloody Christmas it was in Jos, the Plateau State capital Saturday as the state government and citizens mourned the death of victims of multiple bomb blasts that rocked the city on Friday. Scores of people were also injured in the incidents.
Rising tension over the incidents marred Christmas celebrations as Jos was almost a ghost town in the festive period.
Christmas services were not held in many churches as protesting youths barricaded roads.
Governor, Jonah David Jang said in a state-wide Broadcast said it’s a black Christmas for us on the Plateau when we should be celebrating peace,
Youths from Gadabiu area of the city where four bombs detonated and killed over 20 people came out to protest the attack, blocked the highways and set cars ablaze.
The situation was similarly charged in Angwa Rukuba where youths prevented security officials from evacuating the corpses of victims of the blast.
The protest by youths further heightened tension in the tin city, and residents who came out early yesterday morning had to retreat on sighting heavy smoke in the air in parts of the city.
Security men restricted movement to the areas affected by the explosions particularly Gadabiu, Angwa Rukuba, Nasarawa, Zaria road.
Police spokesman Mohammed Lerama, said 32 people died and at least 74 were injured in the four bomb blasts on Christmas Eve.
But Manasie Phampe, the Red Cross secretary in Jos, claimed that 52 people were injured.
Governor Jang described the bombers as enemies of the state, adding that their aim was to pitch Christians against Muslims and spark off another round of violence that will eventually culminate in the scuttle of the ongoing electioneering activities.
He noted that among areas affected were the Goodluck Jonathan flyover at Kabong, the satellite Market also in Kabong and a social joint at Angwan Rukuba and commiserated with all those who lost their loved ones.
Chairman of the state branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Philip Dafes said The attack is barbaric and inhuman, targeted at destabilizing the peace and comfort of the Christians during the Christmas.
It is targeted at the churches and the Christendom because these are the only casualties in the blast, churches and Christians, this is too bad."
The National Association of Berom Youth Movement who condemned the bombings said,The multiple blasts came when relative peace is being enjoyed in the state.
Rising tension over the incidents marred Christmas celebrations as Jos was almost a ghost town in the festive period.
Christmas services were not held in many churches as protesting youths barricaded roads.
Governor, Jonah David Jang said in a state-wide Broadcast said it’s a black Christmas for us on the Plateau when we should be celebrating peace,
Youths from Gadabiu area of the city where four bombs detonated and killed over 20 people came out to protest the attack, blocked the highways and set cars ablaze.
The situation was similarly charged in Angwa Rukuba where youths prevented security officials from evacuating the corpses of victims of the blast.
The protest by youths further heightened tension in the tin city, and residents who came out early yesterday morning had to retreat on sighting heavy smoke in the air in parts of the city.
Security men restricted movement to the areas affected by the explosions particularly Gadabiu, Angwa Rukuba, Nasarawa, Zaria road.
Police spokesman Mohammed Lerama, said 32 people died and at least 74 were injured in the four bomb blasts on Christmas Eve.
But Manasie Phampe, the Red Cross secretary in Jos, claimed that 52 people were injured.
Governor Jang described the bombers as enemies of the state, adding that their aim was to pitch Christians against Muslims and spark off another round of violence that will eventually culminate in the scuttle of the ongoing electioneering activities.
He noted that among areas affected were the Goodluck Jonathan flyover at Kabong, the satellite Market also in Kabong and a social joint at Angwan Rukuba and commiserated with all those who lost their loved ones.
Chairman of the state branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Philip Dafes said The attack is barbaric and inhuman, targeted at destabilizing the peace and comfort of the Christians during the Christmas.
It is targeted at the churches and the Christendom because these are the only casualties in the blast, churches and Christians, this is too bad."
The National Association of Berom Youth Movement who condemned the bombings said,The multiple blasts came when relative peace is being enjoyed in the state.
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