Bombings: FG sends emissary to Middle-Belt

By Emeka Mamah

The Federal Government has sent the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mr. Mike Omeri, to religious leaders in Plateau and other Middle Belt states with the aim of dousing the religious crises occasioned by suicide bomb attacks on churches as well as the reprisal attacks by Christians.

This followed last Sunday’s bomb attack on some churches in Zaria and Kaduna metropolis in Kaduna State, and the reprisal attacks which led to the killing of over 100 people within three days.

Sources told Vanguard that while in Plateau State, Omeri would meet the Chief Imam of Jos Central Mosque today and meet the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama, tomorrow.

Yobe reviews curfew

This is even as Yobe State government has relaxed the curfew imposed on Damaturu, the state capital following the violence that erupted, Monday.

Governor Ibrahim Gaidam, yesterday, approved the relaxation of the 24-hour restriction on movements in the city by six hours to allow people, particularly those trapped in their places of work and businesses, to go back to their homes and reunite with their families.

Meanwhile, the NOA boss would, thereafter, meet with Evangelical Churches of Winning All, ECWA, Worldwide, (formally Evangelical Church of West Africa) in Jos.

In a statement, yesterday, by Governor Gaidam’s Special Adviser on Media and Information, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, the government said movement within Damaturu metropolis is now allowed between 10am and 4.00pm daily.

The meeting between Omeri and the Christian/Moslem leaders would dwell on the need to avoid reprisal attacks across the North or any other part of the country.

Bego also advised members of the public to remain in their homes from 4pm to 10am daily, even as restriction on movement in other parts of the state remained from 10pm to 6am daily, while restriction of movement in Potiskum town remains between 6pm and 6am daily.

The decision, according to Bego, was taken following a meeting the governor had with heads of law enforcement agencies in the state.

These restrictions, he added, will be subject to periodic review as the security situation in Damaturu, and other areas, continues to improve.

The governor said he appreciated the people’s patience and understanding over the last few days, and called on them to continue to cooperate with security agents and assist them in every way possible in their effort to ensure peace and security.

He said the task of ensuring and maintaining security is not just for security agents alone, but for every law-abiding citizen.