Confronting The Jos Crisis

The resurgence of crises and further bloodbath in Jos, Plateau State, North Central Nigeria last week brought to an already traumatized nation another reason to mourn that would serve no good purpose. Coming at a time when many are still tinkering ways of stemming the excesses Boko Haram, an Islamic group which has for some time now, been unleashing terror on Nigeria, this renewed crisis should be condemned by all well meaning people.

According to reports, fresh attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen claimed the lives of 103 persons including that of a serving Senator, Dalyop Dantog, the Majority Leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Gyang Fulani and other defenseless men, women and children.

This barbaric attack further exposed the helplessness of the security environment in parts of the country, as the attackers were said to have earlier killed 64 persons before returning in broad day-light, when the bodies of the deceased were being interred, and killed more people including the honourable law makers.

While we commiserate with the families of the deceased and indeed the whole of Jos over this unfortunate situation, we cannot imagine how the lives of fellow Nigerians are becoming more and more worthless every passing day. This is not just about lives killed, but also the level of moral depravity being exhibited by the killers who seem unaware that one who goes by the sword may someday die by the same sword.

Already, the federal Government has sent condolence messages to the affected people and promised to bring perpetrators to book. We join other Nigerians to insist that this time, something tangible be seen to be done before some people lose faith in the government and resort to self-help, a situation that would further undermine the existence of the state.

The Jos crisis has been long and bloody. From the year 2001, when the ethno-religious conflict took form, to date about one thousand Nigerians have lost their lives. Successive governments have also taken steps to resolve the issues in contention with very little success. In fact, former President Olusegun Obasanjo imposed a state of emergency on the plateau for similar reasons.

Even as we support the call for the imposition of another state of emergency, we are convinced that the hard and appropriate panacea for the Jos crisis may not have been applied. Incidentally, only the Federal Government stands accused on this count.

Why the Jos crisis has continued to be pampered at the expense of the lives of fellow Nigerians cannot be understood. Jos is not the only place where people of different decent have had to live together. Why any group would not find somewhere in their hearts to accommodate age-long neighbours is something that cannot be supported.

Even more worrisome is the fact that these mindless attacks have gone on successfully, even with the presence of the military taskforce established to prevent such attacks. The seeming helplessness of the taskforce has also actuated all manner of accusations including possible complicity. Another, is their failure to make any arrests or even bother to make any difference.

The Tide is totally appalled at the situation in Jos. The place once known for a  number of positive attributes: a peaceful and cold environment that made it the delight of western visitors, the tin-city, and fast growing business centre in the country is now a complete shadow of itself.

This is why the federal government must go beyond what successive governments may have done on the Jos matter, with a view to finding a lasting solution. The federal government may need to bring together the feuding parties to find out why they would not live in peace.

Of course, Nigeria may need to revisit previous findings and white papers on the Jos crisis to find out the missing puzzles. Government must be able to answer if previous recommendations were implemented to the letter, if people who should have been punished got their punishment and if the state government did the needed following –up.

For once, let government be decisive and put in the minds of some Nigerians that they cannot continue to threaten the peace in the country and go scot-free. For once, let those who mis-understand democracy for weakness be made to know that even the military they fear are under civil command.

Nigeria has seen enough bloodletting; the least anyone could do is to keep the peace and help the country deal with the common enemy that makes any Nigerian a target. Indeed the pockets of agitations that were used to warm the polity before must be suspended in the interest of all.

Finally, the taskforce that has failed to protect the defenceless people may also need to redefine their role and mandate because even when a state of emergency is imposed they would be part of the troops that would be on the ground. Let no stone be left unturned in truly confronting this crisis.