Yakubu Busari
The President Jasawa Community Development Association, Comrade Ibrahim Masalllah has condemned the recurrence of violence and killings of Nigerians been sponsored by misguided elements to score political relevancy in the state.
Masallah in a press conference calls for the unity of all a sundry by appealing to Nigerians to sheath their sword in Jos yesterday.
He disclosed that the Killings In the last six years, Jos and Plateau state as a whole was fast regaining its lost glory of peace from the culture of serial crises, attacks, and wanton killings of people and destruction of property that was the order of the day.
He explained that the inhabitants with divergent beliefs were rebuilding trust and confidence, unfortunately, merchants of crises set in again, and they seem well determined to set the city back to those dark days.
He decried that the unwarranted and unprovoked attack that led to the killing of dozens of Muslim travelers along Gada-biyu-Rukuba road, the secret and isolated attacks and killings of innocent people, as well as the attack and killings of people at Yelwan Zangam, are highly unacceptable and we strongly stand to condemn such inhuman act.
We condemn and abhor those criminal acts. We commiserate with families of all that have loss their lives. We also pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.
It is however worrisome that whereas practical efforts of protecting places of worship, notably churches within Muslims dominated areas are being taken by our communities under this Association as contained in our communiqué released on 22nd August 2021, the reverse was taking place at Vegetables section of the building material market in Jos South Local Government Area, where two standing Mosques we demolished, properties worth millions of Naira looted, and 14 shops all belonging to Muslims traders burnt down to ashes.
We reject this action as a clear attempt at given the situation a religious coloration, in other to further compound an already tensed situation.
We view all these bad happenings as handiwork of some bad elites mostly politicians, few unmannered religious and community leaders, and criminal gangs among the youth.
The efforts of the federal and state governments will not be ignored in containing such excesses. We urge them to come up with more practical ways to bring to an end these ugly trends of happenings. The trend of blocking highways to attack passersby by miscreants, among inhabitants of villages on such highways must be put to a halt as well.
We urge security agencies to also make concerted efforts at seeing to it that no such things are allowed to go scot-free.
Governor Lalong
In our appreciations of Governor Simon Lalong’s concerns and practical efforts at mitigating the situation, we condemned those casting aspersions on his person. However, we equally appeal to His Excellency to redouble his efforts towards ensuring that justice prevails. We call on him not to be distracted or deterred from doing what is just and fair to all.
Security Agencies
We deem it equally important to applaud the good work of the security agencies, the Police commissioner, his officers and men, the State Security Services, the Civil defence, the immigration and most particularly the Commander of Operation Safe Haven Major-General Ibrahim Sallau Ali, his officers and men for their tireless efforts at seeing that calm and peace is restored in our communities. We implore General MS Ali and his team to do more on what is rightly attainable.
It is apt to also urge those propelling the campaign of calumny against the GOC/Commander Operation Safe Haven, to desist from doing so, and put it at the back of their minds that gone are the days, when such lies and agitations are believable. We note with sadness an unwritten rule in the psyche of some bigots in Plateau state of kicking against any Muslim sent by the Federal Government to head any federal establishment based in Plateau State. We have been keeping silence on this unwholesome attitude for long as part of our understanding that any citizen is capable of discharging his/her duties without fear or favour in line with his/her oath of office.
Vigilantes & Volunteers
The good work of the local security outfit of Vigilante, Nighbourhood watch and some hunters is also highly appreciable. As we appreciate them we also urge them to strive to do more within the ambit of the law devoid of serving or protecting any other interest apart from humanity.
PIDAN & Others
We are saddened as a matter of great concerned, by the incivility of some utterances and statements from communities and Associations which are fanning the embers of hatred among citizens in the state. Most of these statements are unbecoming of good people in leadership. The PIDAN’s stand has clearly showed that much civilized approach to issues is still needed than the way they have advanced their crude thoughts. We however commend the exemplary leadership of Pankshin Elders and call on others to emulate such elderly gesture.
The Ujah of Anaguta
At this instance we commend the exemplary leadership of Ujah Anaguta HRH Johnson Jauro Magaji, for his firm stand on the path of justice and peace.
We are happy that he is just advancing the legacy upon which his late Father Jauro Magaji, had built and left of promoting the cause of purposeful and all-inclusive leadership. As the chief mourner of the Yelwan Zangam attack, we particularly condole with the Ujah on behalf of all affected.
Plateau State House of Assembly
On the recent stand of the Plateau State House of Assembly, calling on citizens to, “practically stand up to defend themselves,” we see it as an outright deviation from their lawful legislative duties. The house infamous and unfortunate resolution is to us a clear instigation of people to possess dangerous weapons, thereby promoting the act of banditry, armed robbery, kidnappings, and absolute anarchy in state that is Govern by rules of law.
The conduct of some federal lawmakers representing the state, is yet another unfortunate scenario for the cooperate existence of all citizens in peace.
In CONCLUSION
JCDA remains peaceful and resolute at ensuring our dear Jos remains not only peaceful but progressive and developed. All communities under us are reiterating our stand at justice and fairness in all activities, political and otherwise. We are watching events with keen interest noting the peace loving men and women in the state and highlighting those that mean well or otherwise to our dear state. We will not relent in our resolve to ensure the all-inclusiveness in governance initiated by our amiable peace-loving governor Rt. Hon (Dr.) Simon Bako Lalong is sustained. This is the only panacea for a faster development of our great Jos and the state at large. We however call social media practitioners to be wary of their actions and be responsible in whatever they do. Our security agencies should set up special desks for monitoring peddlers of fake information, hate speeches as well as and recycling of old pictures and videos just to inflame emotions.
May Allah SWT continue to guide and protect Jos and Plateau state and our country in general.
