Riots and burning in Jos

Post by **deer of the dawn** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 8:31 pm

Story here: news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7754883.stm

We are okay, we live on the other end of town. But we had friends who had to evacuate, we are actually staying with friends.

Post by **lurch** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 10:44 pm

DD..Good for you, be safe. Outside instigators ?,,local fanatics following a mad man? Revenge?..economics tilted in favor of one group over another?...People going crazy for what?

Post by **stonemaybe** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 12:51 am

hey DotD, as lurch said, be safe and keep away!

Post by **deer of the dawn** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 6:38 am

This morning early we could hear gunfire again and there is smoke from burning churches, mosques, shops, cars and tires. Where we are is still quiet.

There was a local govt election that was a contest between an indigenous "Christian" and an outsider Muslim. The news is saying that disgruntled Muslims started the violence because they were unhappy about losing. The rumor has been that Saudi Arabia is backing Hausa people to move into an area of Jos so that they can gain control of the local government, and from there gain more local governments until they get control of the state. I don't know about the Saudi part, but there is definitely an agenda to take over Plateau State so that Shari'a Law can be instituted, as has happened in most of the North of Nigeria.

Still, I am ashamed to say that Christians retaliated vigorously. One of our friends who stayed with us last night is a Fulani who converted to Christianity. His family called last night (they are Muslims) that their compound was surrounded by a "Christian" mob who were shouting that they were going to burn them out. We called the police, but of course they are already overwhelmed and did not respond. We could not go out to help them because 6pm to 6am was curfewed with shoot-on-sight orders for those who disobeyed.

We all gathered to pray. This morning we found out that, as we had asked God, the mob somehow lost interest and went away, leaving them safe. Our friend's family plans to escape to another state today. If they ever return, it will be years.

Our friends went out last night to get one of their brothers, who was kind of stuck in the middle of the situation. They saw at least 30 burned cars (and this was on the outskirts) and one man who had been burned inside of a stack of tires. They were very shaken but they got their brother out and home okay.

A similar situation happened here in 2001. At the time, the news reported about 20 casualties. Ha!! Now they say about 1000, but the real number will never be known. 1000 is probably conservative. Pray it will not be that bad again. The area never really recovered from that and it will take an act of God to bring peace and reconciliation to those who claim to worship Him.

Jesus taught a very different way. "Bless those who spite you, pray for those who persecute you. Love your enemies. Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good." It's too bad that so-called Christians aren't listening.

Post by **Avatar** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 11:55 am

Rough one DoD. Unfortunately, violence is too often the initial response to anything challenging or opposed.

(Not to change the subject, but is this a topic for the 'Tank anybody? (That's the political forum in case you've never noticed Dod.

)

Anyway, glad you're safe.

--A

Post by **Fist and Faith** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 12:30 pm

Sheesh! I hadn't heard about this. I assumed Jos was in India, since I had heard about bad stuff going down there. I sure hope you stay well!!!!!!!!!!!

And I never noticed before. What are you doing in Nigeria?

Post by **stonemaybe** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 1:14 pm

And I never noticed before. What are you doing in Nigeria?

There's only one thing to say to that!

Post by **Fist and Faith** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 2:15 pm

Uh... The backstroke?

Post by **Avatar** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 3:42 pm

Learning marketing from the Ibo?

--A

Post by **deer of the dawn** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 8:13 pm

Fist and Faith wrote:And I never noticed before. What are you doing in Nigeria?

I teach Kindergarten at a school for missionary kids and Nigerians. My kids are from Nigeria, Denmark, Korea, Lebanon, and the USA. My husband is a Word of Life missionary. He trains churches to have fun with kids (and thereby get them interested in the teachings of Christ), do HIV outreach, we just hosted our first medical outreach... you name it.

Fist and Faith wrote:Uh... The backstroke?

Sigh... the last time we went to the pool it was bright, lime green. We haven't gone back...

Avatar wrote:Learning marketing from the Ibo?

"Ibo made" is a pseudonym here for "cheap crap that falls apart".

Obviously, the internet has been holding up here which is surprising. Coming here is a nice way to keep something fun going right now. Thanks, everyone.

Post by **dANdeLION** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 8:18 pm

Fist and Faith wrote:Sheesh! I hadn't heard about this. I assumed Jos was in India, since I had heard about bad stuff going down there. I sure hope you stay well!!!!!!!!!!!

And I never noticed before. What are you doing in Nigeria?

I'm voting for you in the 'Most Clueless' Watchie category........even if you don't win, I'm sure Lore will send you a copy of 'Gullible's Travels' as a consolation prize.

Post by **matrixman** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 9:28 pm

dANdeLION wrote:
Fist and Faith wrote:Sheesh! I hadn't heard about this. I assumed Jos was in India, since I had heard about bad stuff going down there. I sure hope you stay well!!!!!!!!!!!

And I never noticed before. What are you doing in Nigeria?
I'm voting for you in the 'Most Clueless' Watchie category........even if you don't win, I'm sure Lore will send you a copy of 'Gullible's Travels' as a consolation prize.

I'm nominating myself for that category. I could give Fist a run for his money.

Anyway, glad you're safe, DoD.

Post by **Worm of Despite** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 9:40 pm

Glad yer safe. Stay that way!

Post by **aliantha** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 4:12 am

Glad to hear you're safe, DoD.

Post by **Avatar** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 8:05 am

deer of the dawn wrote:
Avatar wrote:Learning marketing from the Ibo?
"Ibo made" is a pseudonym here for "cheap crap that falls apart".

Haha, but they sure can sell it.

(Incredibly entrepeneurial, the Ibo.)

--A

Post by **matrixman** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 5:07 pm

What's an Ibo? (Hey, I said I was clueless.)

Post by **Avatar** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 7:14 pm

A tribe from south-east Nigeria. Really renowned for their entrepeneurship. In earlier times, they were disliked for their habit of wandering across borders, swindling the locals, and wandering back again.

Astute businessmen, not too worried about the legalities of their business. In SA, Nigerians are synonymous with the drug trade, (they never use, they just sell), and probably 70% or more of them are Ibo. (Properly Igbo IIRC.) They even have a...well...our equivalent of lobbiest group here that "argues" for their rights/whatever.

Very charming and persuasive...I've never met one I didn't find quite amiable. Not strictly to be trusted though.

Profit first kinda guys.

--A

Post by **matrixman** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 7:46 pm

Now I know! Thanks.

Come to think of it, I haven't received any e-mails from Nigeria advising me of fantastic financial opportunities in a long while. Wow, could it be my spam filter is actually working?

Post by **AjK** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 10:08 pm

Glad to hear you and yours are safe, DotD. I hope the situation turns more positive soon. Take care...

Andy

Post by **deer of the dawn** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 2:04 pm

matrixman wrote: Come to think of it, I haven't received any e-mails from Nigeria advising me of fantastic financial opportunities in a long while.

Yeah, Kindergarten keeps me busy. I've been slacking off lately.

Kevin's Watch

Kevin's Watch

Riots and burning in Jos

Riots and burning in Jos