The Catholic Archbishop of Jos, Most Rev. Mathew Audu, has donated foodstuff and other items to 80 households displaced by the recent attacks in Riyom Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau.
Presenting the the items to the beneficiaries on Saturday in Riyom, Audu commiserated with those who lost their loved ones in the incident.
He said that the donation was the proceeds of offerings across parishes in the archdiocese, aimed at supporting displaced families across Plateau.
According to him, the gesture is basically to identify and provide succour to the affected people.
“We are here today to provide our little support to those who were displaced by the recent attacks in this locality.
“Recently we collected offerings and freewill donations from our parishes to support all victims of attacks in Plateau.
“This support will not only be for Catholics, but every human being – Christians, Muslims and Pagans that are displaced by insecurity.
“These items are not in any way a replacement of what you have lost, but a mere token of support to cushion your current hardship,”he said.
The prelate, however, called on the people of the area, particularly the youths to be vigilant and defend their communities from external aggression.
Audu, who advised them not take the laws into their own hands, urged them to shun alcoholism and other social vices.
Earlier, Mr Sati Shuwa, the Chairman of Riyom LGA, thanked the archbishop and the Catholic community in Jos for the gesture.
Shuwa said that the local and state governments had put modalities in place to forestall future attacks and security breach in the area.
He, however, called on the security agencies to do more towards ensuring the safety of lives and property of Nigerians.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of items donated included bags of rice, beans, garri, cans of palm oil and packets of salts and seasoning.
Others items donated to the beneficiaries were bathing and washing soaps, detergent, buckets, tooth paste and packets of tooth brushes among others. (NAN)
