The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Plateau State Chapter has assured the Igbo community that no one will ask them to leave the State, even as it called for calm over disturbances that Governor Simon Lalong says claimed two lives.
The Christian body in a statement, through its head, Dr. Soja Bewarang, expressed shock and dismay at the sudden build up of tension in Jos Metropolis.
CAN spoke as it emerged that Lalong met with leaders of the Hausa and Igbo communities and told them he would not hesitate to go beyond imposing the curfew, if the need arose.
The Governor regretted the death of two persons adding that he was taken by surprise by what happened on the Plateau.
The Governor expressed dismay at how the social media caused the flare-up in his State.
The CAN statement reads in part: “We call on the Igbos on the Plateau to remain calm as nobody will ask them to leave Plateau.
“We appreciate the Governor and security agencies for their prompt intervention and courageous work yesterday on the directives of the Governor to calm the situation. CAN calls on its members to remain calm, law abiding and to pursue the path of peace. Christians are hereby requested to obey the measures so far taken by the Government to bring this uncalled for disturbance to peace to order.
“CAN wishes to assure the Governor, the security agencies and all citizens of its total support and cooperation to ensuring that peace reigns. The peace of the State is the peace of the church and society. Let us all wise up and work collective to frustrate the designs of criminals in our midst. Informations on social media must be verified with security agencies and nobody should take the law into their hands. Enough of this madness.”