WHAT could have turned out to be another tragedy in Jos, the Plateau State capital, was, Saturday, averted by men of the Special Task Force (STF) deployed to restore law and order, as unknown gunmen fired 36 hand grenades into a Mosque located at the Bukuru Express Way in Jos South Local Government Council of the State.
A source told journalists that the incident occurred at the early hours of Saturday. According to the source, about 10 people were in the mosque preparing to commence prayers when the group fired rockets at them.
Spokesman of the STF, Captain Salisu Ibrahim Mustapha, confirmed the incident, saying: "Miscreants threw 36 hand grenades into a mosque but it failed to detonate; thereafter, they fired shots in the air and escaped. No arrest was recorded."
The area has been cordoned off to avert breakdown of law and order.
Mustapha enjoined people to be vigilant and report any suspicious objects, persons or activities in their area to security agencies. He gave the assurance that ongoing investigation would ensure that the perpetrators of the act were apprehended.
The STF, in a separate joint operation with the 'Operation Rainbow,' a Plateau State security outfit, on February 1, 2013, had discovered two un-identified dead bodies when it raided a criminal hideout in Shendam and Bakin Ladi Local Government Councils of the State.
Last week, the STF Commander, Major-General Henry Ayoola, held a peace parley with youths from Jos South, Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Councils, where he advised the youths to sheathe their swords and embrace peace. The parley was attended by Commissioner for Information and Communication, Abraham Yiljap, Special Adviser to the Governor on Peace Building, Timothy Parlong, and Representative of the chairman of Jos South Local Government Council.
The parley comprised youths from both the Fulani herdsmen and the native Berom group, who literally hugged themselves.
The Guardian
that is disastrous.it shouldn't exist in a country like this.it only shows how insecure Nigeria is lately. May God have mercy on us