Why Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang Needs Help
Last week, unknown gunmen struck four communities in Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau State. The attacks on Tatu, Rawuru, Bok and Dorang villages have claimed lives of over 40 people, leaving dozens more injured. According to eyewitnesses, the four communities were attacked simultaneously in a coordinated operation between midnight and 1 a.m. The attacks came barely 24 hours after the Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, raised the alarm that was based on a security report indicating that the state would come under attack around the Christmas season.
The
recent violence in Plateau shows that the crisis in the state is far
from being over. Within the last 12 years, thousands of people have been
killed and assets, worth billions of naira destroyed.
Nowadays
the capital Jos, Plateau state, which used to be one of the most
peaceful and serene cities in Nigeria, is divided along tribal and
religious lines.
The
Federal Government has taken several actions, including the declaration
of a state of emergency and
deployment of troops under the Obasanjo
administration. A special joint taskforce that has consumed billions of
naira is still stationed in the state.
Yet,
in spite of all these measures, the state remains a war zone, a
time-bomb that has exploded on several occasions. The so-called
“natives” and the “settlers” have deep-seated animosity towards each
other; as the violence increases, the grudges deepen. Each party seems
out to seek vengeance. But mutual retribution can only lead to more
conflict and anarchy.
The
Federal Government is simply not doing enough. Now that Governor Jang
appears helpless, he should be helped to put out the flames while the
embers are still ablaze. The incumbent Federal Government should, as a
matter of national urgency, review all the reports and recommendations
made by several committees set up so far on the crisis, and address
certain fundamental issues such as the status of a Nigerian residing
outside his state of origin, the issue of compensation of victims of
violence, and how to integrate all the communities once more.
The
task force in the state should be forced to be alive to its
responsibilities. It is not enough to simply mount roadblocks along
major highways; they must protect the rural communities. There must be
special outposts and good observation points. They must increase patrols
on foot, with vehicles and even with helicopters. The
intelligence-gathering apparatus should be expanded and upgraded. It is
the same attitude of soldiers looking for comfort zones that has
contributed to the prolonged crisis in the north-eastern part of the
country. Across the country, security agents rarely enter bushes to hunt
for criminals. Yet, everyone knows that armed robbers, kidnappers, drug
peddlers and other bandits usually operate from forests and avoid
highways where our security agents mount their surveillance.
The
alarm raised by the Jonah Jang should no longer be ignored. The return
of peace and security to Plateau state is in everybody’s interest.
READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/53870.html
READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/53870.html
