Jos massacre: 164 Face charges
From Seriki Adinoyi in Jos with agency reports, 03.22.2010Those arrested in connection with the massacre of women and children in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State on March 7, 2010 are in real soup
The police said yesterday that 164 people were arrested over the killings and most of them would be charged with offences ranging from terrorism to arson.Over 500 persons mostly women and children were killed by people suspected to be Fulanis in three villages of Dogo Nahawa, Rasat and Jeji in the local government on March 7, 2010, though the police claimed only 100 people lost their lives.
The police said: “In its resolve to deal decisively with perpetrators of violence in the nation, we have concluded investigation into the mass killings in Dogo Nahawa, Rasat and Jeji villages, which occurred on 7th March 2010.
“In all, 164 suspects were arrested, but two of them will serve as prosecution witnesses.
“Forty-one are to be charged with terrorism and culpable homicide, while 121 face multiple offences of unlawful possession of firearms, rioting, arson and causing grievous hurt.”
Homicide can result in a death sentence, while terrorism is punishable by a life jail term.
After the killings in the villages, another 13 were reportedly killed later at Biye and Betam villages.
The killings were part of a spiralling feud between the Fulani and Berom over land.
The March killings were, however, said to be a reprisal for the killings of more than 300 mainly Muslims in January in Jos North Local Government.
Police said 213 suspects had already been charged with various offences connected to the January violence and are being held in various prisons across the country
