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By newswatchngr.com 22/09/2011 09:17:00

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Written by Bala Dan Abu Thursday, 22 September 2011 For more than two decades, Jos and indeed, Plateau State in general, has been in the news for the wrong reason. Ethno-religious crises which have claimed thousands of lives and properties, especially houses and vehicles worth billions of Naira have been a regular occurrence in the state

For more than two decades, Jos and indeed, Plateau State in general, has been in the news for the wrong reason. Ethno-religious crises which have claimed thousands of lives and properties, especially houses and vehicles worth billions of Naira have been a regular occurrence in the state. The first most violent of the series of crises occurred in 2001, in which over 300 people were massacred. Since then, the state has remained a killing field. People on both sides of the divide just take advantage of even minor arguments or disagreement to kill, maim and burn houses and vehicles. Economic and social activities have collapsed while poverty and misery have become the lot of most people in the state.

Efforts by the federal and the Plateau State governments to stop the killings have all failed. Soldiers serving in the special task force have been unable to restore peace. In fact, some of them were accused of taking side in the conflict.

Several panels set up by the federal or the state government had probed the crises at various times and submitted reports, all of which have not been implemented for reasons which are unknown. This has further inflamed the situation.

Recently, there was another bomb blast in Jos which targeted an area where lots of people gather in the evening for relaxation. The bomb killed nobody but it sent danger signals and created a lot more tension which has now attracted the attention of President Goodluck Jonathan. He has dispatched the nation’s chief of defence staff to take charge of the Jos security situation.

Our cover story this week is on the present efforts to tackle the Jos problem and other similar problems around the country. We have chronicled the problems and the damage they are causing for socio-economic development of the country and examined what impact the present approach is likely to make. The story anchored by Chris Ajaero is titled: Jonathan’s Riot Act on Jos Crisis.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 22 September 2011 )