| JOS GOES UP IN FLAMES |
TRINITY ANGLICAN CHURCH DESTROYED AS THE CHRISTIANS COME UNDER ATTACK IN JOS, NIGERIA
ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF JOS
REPORT ON THE JOS CRISIS OF NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2008
INTRODUCTION
Jos is the capital of Plateau State in Northern Nigeria. It is a large, growing city with well over a million inhabitants, and is
remarkable for its cosmopolitan nature. Representatives of many different ethnic groups live in Jos, some coming for short
periods, others living here for most or all of their lives. Majority come for trade and business. In terms of religion the
inhabitants are mixed, being predominantly Christians and Muslims with a few pagans.
Geographically, Jos is an important gateway. It lies south of the Sahara but north of the confluence of the Benue and Niger
rivers. It is a commercial centre and many traditional and modern trade routes pass through this city. If approached from the
north, Jos may be seen as the door to the rest of Nigeria.
As Jos is situated high on the Plateau (some 4,000’ above sea level), the climate is attractive and many commercial, academic
and religious organisations have their national headquarters here.
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2008
1. Local Government elections, having been cancelled earlier in the year, were held on Thursday 27th Novemember. The
conduct of these elections was generally considered to be good, with no violence. However, before the results were officially
announced the next morning violence had broken out in various parts of Jos city.
2. REPORTS FROM ANGLICAN CHURCHES
Reports from the Supervising Priests of the various Archdeaconries of the Anglican Diocese of Jos indicate that they were
alerted by the Archbishop, the Most Rev. Dr. B. A. Kwashi, during the early hours of Friday 28th November. Apart from the
rural area around Mil Shida to the North-East of the city, the trouble was concentrated in the densely populated urban areas of
Jos North where many inhabitants have shops and businesses as well as houses.
a. Rock haven reported that by 4.30a.m. noise and smoke were seen and heard coming from Apata/Katako areas. Men,
women and children running towards Alheri / Rockhaven areas said that Hausa-Fulani were killing Christians in Katako, Agwan
Rogo, Bauchi Road, apata, Congo-Russia, Dogon-Dutse and Nasarawa areas. The attackers were well armed with guns,
matchets, knives, bows and arrows.
b. Jos Central reported that:
i By 6.00a.m. the burning of Christian houses and shops had reached the area around Enugu Road and Ajayi Street.
Ii Holy Trinity Church in Rikkos was destroyed.
c. Jos South reported that:
i At Mil Shida (a rural location about 6 miles along the Bauchi Road where the Diocesan Mission team was working members
of the community were shot and killed.
ii At Tudun Wada the Vicarage of Calvary Anglican Church was burnt down, and about 20 Christian youths were shot. There
was much destruction of houses, shops and property (for all figures see table below)
d. Chapelries reported that Trinity Chapel was completed burnt down. Ebenezer Chapel was also destroyed.
e. Jos North:
i. St. Michael’s church area was in the centre of the crisis and many houses, shops and properties were lost. Miraculously, no
Anglican church was destroyed and no member killed.
ii. New Covenant Anglican Church area (Laranto and Kwana Shagari). War chants of Jihad were heard for about an hour
just before midnight. It was reported that by 7.30a.m. more than 3,000 Muslim youth gathered chanting Jihad and calling for
the destruction of Jos and of Christians. There was fierce fighting in the area.
f. Cathedral (city centre) reported that there was no attack on the Cathedral or its immediate environs, but various members
living in other parts of the city lost houses and properties. 4 members from those areas are in hospital with matchet wounds.
Three National Youth Service Corps members who were living with a Cathedral family in Katako were killed in the premises with
matchets.
g. Jos East: Pentecost Church (Unguwan Rukuba area) reported that the first burning of cars began by 6.30a.m.
It was a day of burning and killing. Thick smoke engulfed the city and could be seen for miles around. Most reports showed
that the Muslim youths were well armed with guns, knives, matchets, bows and arrows etc. On the whole the Christians, having
been taken totally by surprise, were defending themselves and their properties with only stones, sticks and anything else they
could lay their hands on (even garden rakes); very few guns were available.
SATURDAY
An overnight curfew had been imposed and in some areas it also lasted all day. However, Jos North in particular reported
continued exchange of fire between Muslim youths and the army.
The house where the pastor of Trinity Chapel was staying (Dogon Dutse) was burnt but the pastor escaped.
REPORT ON THE JOS CRISIS OF NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2008
INTRODUCTION
Jos is the capital of Plateau State in Northern Nigeria. It is a large, growing city with well over a million inhabitants, and is
remarkable for its cosmopolitan nature. Representatives of many different ethnic groups live in Jos, some coming for short
periods, others living here for most or all of their lives. Majority come for trade and business. In terms of religion the
inhabitants are mixed, being predominantly Christians and Muslims with a few pagans.
Geographically, Jos is an important gateway. It lies south of the Sahara but north of the confluence of the Benue and Niger
rivers. It is a commercial centre and many traditional and modern trade routes pass through this city. If approached from the
north, Jos may be seen as the door to the rest of Nigeria.
As Jos is situated high on the Plateau (some 4,000’ above sea level), the climate is attractive and many commercial, academic
and religious organisations have their national headquarters here.
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2008
1. Local Government elections, having been cancelled earlier in the year, were held on Thursday 27th Novemember. The
conduct of these elections was generally considered to be good, with no violence. However, before the results were officially
announced the next morning violence had broken out in various parts of Jos city.
2. REPORTS FROM ANGLICAN CHURCHES
Reports from the Supervising Priests of the various Archdeaconries of the Anglican Diocese of Jos indicate that they were
alerted by the Archbishop, the Most Rev. Dr. B. A. Kwashi, during the early hours of Friday 28th November. Apart from the
rural area around Mil Shida to the North-East of the city, the trouble was concentrated in the densely populated urban areas of
Jos North where many inhabitants have shops and businesses as well as houses.
a. Rock haven reported that by 4.30a.m. noise and smoke were seen and heard coming from Apata/Katako areas. Men,
women and children running towards Alheri / Rockhaven areas said that Hausa-Fulani were killing Christians in Katako, Agwan
Rogo, Bauchi Road, apata, Congo-Russia, Dogon-Dutse and Nasarawa areas. The attackers were well armed with guns,
matchets, knives, bows and arrows.
b. Jos Central reported that:
i By 6.00a.m. the burning of Christian houses and shops had reached the area around Enugu Road and Ajayi Street.
Ii Holy Trinity Church in Rikkos was destroyed.
c. Jos South reported that:
i At Mil Shida (a rural location about 6 miles along the Bauchi Road where the Diocesan Mission team was working members
of the community were shot and killed.
ii At Tudun Wada the Vicarage of Calvary Anglican Church was burnt down, and about 20 Christian youths were shot. There
was much destruction of houses, shops and property (for all figures see table below)
d. Chapelries reported that Trinity Chapel was completed burnt down. Ebenezer Chapel was also destroyed.
e. Jos North:
i. St. Michael’s church area was in the centre of the crisis and many houses, shops and properties were lost. Miraculously, no
Anglican church was destroyed and no member killed.
ii. New Covenant Anglican Church area (Laranto and Kwana Shagari). War chants of Jihad were heard for about an hour
just before midnight. It was reported that by 7.30a.m. more than 3,000 Muslim youth gathered chanting Jihad and calling for
the destruction of Jos and of Christians. There was fierce fighting in the area.
f. Cathedral (city centre) reported that there was no attack on the Cathedral or its immediate environs, but various members
living in other parts of the city lost houses and properties. 4 members from those areas are in hospital with matchet wounds.
Three National Youth Service Corps members who were living with a Cathedral family in Katako were killed in the premises with
matchets.
g. Jos East: Pentecost Church (Unguwan Rukuba area) reported that the first burning of cars began by 6.30a.m.
It was a day of burning and killing. Thick smoke engulfed the city and could be seen for miles around. Most reports showed
that the Muslim youths were well armed with guns, knives, matchets, bows and arrows etc. On the whole the Christians, having
been taken totally by surprise, were defending themselves and their properties with only stones, sticks and anything else they
could lay their hands on (even garden rakes); very few guns were available.
SATURDAY
An overnight curfew had been imposed and in some areas it also lasted all day. However, Jos North in particular reported
continued exchange of fire between Muslim youths and the army.
The house where the pastor of Trinity Chapel was staying (Dogon Dutse) was burnt but the pastor escaped.
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ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF JOS