Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Jos (Agenzia Fides) - Anonymous messages to spread panic and incite new violence are being sent to the cell phones of citizens of Jos, the capital of the Plateau State (Central Nigeria), where in recent days there have been serious clashes that have claimed hundreds of lives (see Fides 21/1/2010). The disgraceful news has reached Fides through Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Jos. "The situation over the past few days is quieter, but the city's citizens continue to receive anonymous messages in which they are uttered threats on their cell phones. I fear that this may be part of a strategy aimed at extending the violence in the city of Jos, as these messages can be forwarded by the frightened citizens, to their relatives and acquaintances in other parts of Nigeria," Archbishop Kaigama told Fides.
Despite the threats, yesterday (Sunday, January 24) the city's churches were full of faithful. "Because of the curfew, which has been reduced, we had to organize only one celebration in each church. The faithful gathered in prayer, in defiance of fear,” the Archbishop of Jos noted.
Archbishop Kaigama visited the Parish of St. Michael, the church that according to some press reports had been attacked and burned by a group of Muslims, thus sparking the violence. This news was later contradicted by the same Archbishop in a statement made to Fides (see Fides 20/1/2010). "I went to the Church of St. Michael to encourage the faithful, who were still frightened by the false reports on the destruction of their parish, to try to bring them serenity and establish a peaceful climate, so as to restore peace in our city," concluded Archbishop Kaigama. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 25/1/2010)
