AFRICA/NIGERIA - An "emergency forum" has been called on behalf of the Governors of northern Nigeria with regards to the violence in Plateau state

Jos (Agenzia Fides) - New violence in Plateau state, in north-central Nigeria, where in the last two weeks, 70 people have been killed in inter-community clashes. The last attack was last weekend, when an armed group (supposedly formed by the Fulani herdsmen) attacked an entire household in a village in the Vwang district. During the night between 11 and 12 September at least two bombs exploded in Jos, the capital of Plateau State. No victims have been reported so far.
Amid the violence, the Governor of the Niger State and President of the Forum of Governors of Northern Nigeria, Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, convened an emergency meeting of the organization to be held on September 21. In announcing the meeting, Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu said that the Governors are keen to end the wave of violence in the Plateau state.
The meeting will discuss measures to overcome the mistrust and conflicts that persist among different ethnic and religious groups of the Plateau, the problems related to the requests for political representation and distribution of lands and the exploitation of religion on behalf of those who incite violence.
On the latter point, the Governor stressed that "the problem of Jos is far from religious. It is socio-economic. So, we, Governors of Northern Nigeria, will not allow individuals or groups to continue to exploit religion for political and economic benefits".
Among the proposals that the Governors present, are: the formation of a Commission "truth and reconciliation" to establish the facts and responsibilities of the violence of recent years; the creation of new territorial districts in the north of Jos; the establishment of grazing reserves in sensitive areas to prevent the frequent clashes between farmers (many of them Christians) and Fulani herdsmen (Muslims). (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 12/09/2011)