By V. AL-PEA
The Plateau State Commissioner for Environment, Mrs. Sarah Yusuf, welcomed 400 Christian who were seeking refuge in Jos after fleeing systematic killings by Hausa jihadists in Yobe State of Nigeria.
While presenting over 8 million naira worth of relief supplies to them, Mrs. Yusuf lamented about the hardships they had endured. According to her, “I wished the displaced people were in the comfort of their homes–which is better than giving them these items.” Mrs. Sarah Yusuf then announced that the state government is using the former Tati Hotel at Gada Biyu as a temporary venue to house refugees.
Meanwhile she stressed the need for all Nigerians to appreciate and tolerate one another irrespective of religion as she handed the relief. Receiving the supplies on behalf of the victims, the President of the Church of Christ In Nations (COCIN), Rev. Soja Bewarang appreciated the kind gesture from Plateau State, thanking the governor for demonstrating a “practical Christian love”. Also expressing thanks was a representative of the refuges, Dr. Adamu Sule who quoted a biblical passage that spoke about Christians fleeing persecution to seek refuge in neighboring lands. Sule further expressed thanks to the leaderships of COCIN, ECWA (Evangelical Churches of West Africa) and some individuals who provided accommodation.
One of the refugees, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Messenger Voice that the situation in Potiskum and Damaturu local government areas was worse, though their experience was also bad. According to him, houses and businesses belonging to Christians were selected and the occupants shot or hacked to death.
Items donated by Plateau State included 100 pieces of mattresses, 100 pillows, 250 pieces of blankets, 100 bags of rice, 10 bags of sugar (50kg each), 10 cartons of maggi cubes, 10 cartons of toilet soaps, 10 cartons of laundry soaps, 10 cartons of lotion, 110 bags of salt, 10 bags of tissue paper, 1 carton of matches, 1 bag of per person of tomatoes, onions and hot pepper, 20 cans of palm oil, 20 cans of vegetable oil, 15 bags of garri (cereal grain), 1 carton of smoked fish, three 25 liter containers of kerosene, 15 bags of beans, 80 bags of maize, cooking pots, sweeping brooms, plastic buckets, plastic plates, cups and spoons.