The umbrella body of Nigerian Muslims, Jamatu Nasril Islam (JNI), this afternoon expressed “shock, pain and bewilderment” over yesterday afternoon’s bomb blasts which rocked the city of Jos, Plateau State, North-Central Nigeria.

JNI in a statement in Kaduna signed by its Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, regretted that “for sometime, the city and the whole state enjoy(ed) calm and tranquility, and gradually heading towards peace, just to be dragged back to terror and restlessness by the wicked and evil doers who hate to see peace thrives.”

JNI condemned “in the strongest terms this wicked act which caused the death of innocent lives, going about their normal businesses innocently.”

The statement added: “Beyond condemnation, governments at all levels and all security agencies must rise to the occasion, to take proactive measures in dealing with the monster of terrorism. We have had a lot of verbal assurances. Something positive in curbing the tide of this terror must be on ground for the citizenry to for once have a sigh of relief.

“We commiserate with the government and the people of Plateau State and most importantly condole the families of the victims of this inhuman and savage act.

“We continue to pray for the state and the entire nation for restoration of peace, security and tranquility.

“May Allah bring immediate succour and peace to our dear country.”

•Photo shows scene of the Jos bombing.