jos bomb blast update

there had been pockets of attacks here and there around jos town following the bomb blasts on christmas eve.

One of such attacks occured along apata road where a man was lynched to death by some irrant youths who were disenchanted with the latest developments.

The identity of the victim could not be easily identified as soldiers came to carry the corpse amidst sporadic shootings to scare away the crowd to avoid further recurrence.

Meanwhile more gunshots were heard last night around angwan rukuba area and unconfirmed source said that it was the military personels taking some precautionary measures to avoid mass attack by the people. As of the time of writing this report, there is an atmosphere of fragile peace as most people are still indoors oblivion of what may happen next.

The joint task force is appreciably equal to the task of maintaining law and order as most security personnels at check points are battle ready searching most vehicles on the road for dangerous weapons.

If this tempo is sustained by the security operatives, then the city of Jos will not take a longer time to bounce back to life fully.

Although mass exodus of people to other various states for the yuletide had already decreased the population of the town before the bomb blasts.

The state governor Jonah David Jang took his time yesterday to visit all the affected areas.

The visit was highly commendable by the residents of jos metropolis including hausa, yoruba and igbo communities.

black xmas in jos

there were a lot of wailing and sorrow everywhere as bomb blasts rocked the city of jos and shook it to its very foundation which claimed over thirty innocent lives and several hundreds severely injured.

It has been speculation galore as no one has claimed responsibility for the action.

We hope that the city will come back to its normal bustling after this tragedy that befell the city.

This is a new dimension introduced into the city's unending imbroglio which had claimed more than a thousand lives since the begining of this year.

The trouble started in the middle of january and is being closed at the tail end of december with bomb blasts.

We appeal to both state and federal government to find a lasting solution to the problem of jos so that residents can go their normal activities without fear of attacks.

Adamu quizzed in EFCC Office

Football: Adamu quizzed in anti-
corruption probe

Nigeria's anti-corruption agency has
begun quizzing suspended FIFA
executive member, Amos Adamu
over allegations of corruption.
"We invited Adamu after he finally
arrived in the country on Friday and
he has been at our office in Abuja
since Wednesday morning," disclosed
the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) spookesman, Femi
Babafemi.
"For now, the investigations are on
and we do not know when he will be
allowed to leave our offices."

Babafemi said that the anti-
corruption body is interrogating
Adamu over how the 24 billion naira
(about 190 million dollars) budget for
the 2003 All Africa Games of which he
was the chief executive was spent.
Adamu will also have to explain
another 1.3 billion naira, which he
purportedly spent as "PR", Babafemi
added.

He also said Adamu is being quizzed
for another 180 million naira in an
affair concerning his wife as well as
80 million naira expenditure
involving his son-in-law.

Last month, Adamu was suspended
by FIFA for three years after world
football's governing body ruled that
he had breached their code of ethics.
Adamu was caught in a sting
operation by a British newspaper
over the hosting rights bids for the
2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Kayode THOMAS V. Amos ADAMU

Kayode Thomas V. Amos Adamu

BACKGROUND:

WHEN the editor of The Guardian Newspapers,
Lagos, Nigeria, Debo Adesina assigned me to do an enterprise
story on FIFA and CAF executive board member, Amos Adamu,
sometime in 2002, I did not know it was the beginning of a
long journey that peaked with Adamu suing for libel in 2007
and demanding the sum of N500 million (A little over two
million pounds) as damages.

A plethora of petitions had been sent to The Guardian by some
Nigerians containing allegations against Adamu, then the
executive director of COJA - the body charged with organizing
the Abuja 2003 All Africa Games.

Adesina had sent some reporters to investigate the
allegations, but they just interviewed Adamu and left it at that.
So, Adesina was very clear about what he wanted me to do.
The investigation took me to Zuru, Kebbi State and Sokoto,
Sokoto State where Adamu last lectured before he joined the
civil service.

I went to Zaria, Kaduna State; Ife, Osun State and Ibadan, Oyo
State - the three states where he schooled.
I was also in Ogbomosho, Oyo State; Abuja, the Federal Capital
Territory and several parts of Lagos State.

REVELATIONS ABOUT ADAMU

The revelations were mind-boggling. Adamu, a civil servant,
owns choice houses in all the nook and crannies of Nigeria; his
children attend top Universities in the United Kingdom. He
owns hotels, event marketing companies, sports marketing
companies and several other business - all controlled by his
cronies, children or family members.

But the most startling of all was that Amos Adamu lives with a
false identity. I discovered in Zuru, Kebbi State, his place of
birth, that his real name is Babatunde Aremu.
Adamu's father is from Ogbomosho, Oyo State and not Zuru.
Armed with all these information, I went to Adamu's office in
Abuja.
After waiting for three days, Adamu agreed to an interview.
I asked questions about his wealth, properties in all parts of
Nigeria, and where he actually comes from and his real name.
Adamu's answers were 'yes,' 'no' and 'no comment'.
As I took my leave, Adamu said, ''I won't stop your story, but
remember, I have the best lawyers in Nigeria''.

ADAMU'S REACTION

On my way to the airport to board a flight from Abuja to
Lagos, Adamu's aides did all they could to persuade me to
drop the story. When all failed, they gave up.
Back at The Guardian, the first question Adesina asked was
'who actually is this Amos Adamu?
So many prominent Nigerians have called me drop this story''.
When all effort to persuade The Guardian failed, Adamu
himself came to The Guardian with about 20 aides.
After speaking for some minutes about how COJA would
organize the best All African Games ever, Adamu then started
talking about himself and plans by some Nigerians to bring
him down.
He told The Guardian editors that one's state of origin was not
important as long as one is a Nigerian.
The Guardian assured him of its co-operation and all that.
A week after his visit, The Guardian ran the story and thus
began the war between Adamu and me.

VOICE FOR THE OPPRESSED AND BLACKMAIL

After the story, many of the oppressed in Nigerian sports and
even outside Nigeria, such as former WAFU president Jacque
Anuoma started sending me documents.
Overnight I became a voice for the oppressed in sports. To
Adamu and his aides, however, I was nothing but a satanic
writer.
All efforts to compromise or induce me with appointments
and monetary incentives failed.
Adamu's resort to blackmail and other tactics also failed.
When all failed, he saw the court as a place where he could
silence me.

NFL CRISIS AND COURT CASE

The opportunity came when the leader of Nigeria Football
League (NFL), Oyuki Obaseki alleged in 2007 that Adamu was
behind the then crisis in the organization because he wanted
the sponsorship money handed over to him. Almost at the
same time, officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN)
made similar allegations against the man.
A large section of the sporting press reported the crisis, while
the National Assembly deliberated on it.

ADAMU EMBARRASED, BUT THE GUARDIAN PERSISTS

Adamu found the reports embarrassing, and through bribery
and intimidation, he was able to silence a majority of the
reporters and sports editors that were reporting the story.
But The Guardian resisted. Adamu told everybody that cared
to listen that The Guardian Sports Editor has been paid to
destroy him.
When even threats of court action failed to stop my stories,
Adamu took me to court. But since the court did not stop me
from reporting sports and writing about him, I continued with
normal business.

THE ROLE OF MY COLLEAGUES

Shortly after he took me to court, we met in Abuja. Though he
knows my name, as we talk regularly on phone, after our first
meeting in his office in 2002, I didn't see Adamu again.
He saw me on couple of occasions, but he could not recognize
me.
There was a particular incidence at Abuja Hilton Hotel where
he was telling his friends in the media how they removed
Ibrahim Galadima as NFF chairman and installed Sanni Lulu,
the current NFF chairman.
So a few weeks after he took me to court, I and some of my
colleagues met Adamu at a function in Abuja. He came in and
greeted all of us. Obviously, he didn't recognize me. But no
sooner had he stepped out than two of my colleagues followed
him.
He came back almost immediately and walked up to me.
"Good afternoon sir. I am Amos Adamu", he introduced
himself. Obviously, two of my colleagues who went out with
him had told him who I was.
I greeted him, but I didn't introduce myself. When he realized I
wasn't going to say a word, he then asked, "Are you Olukayode
Thomas"? I said yes. He said, “we are going to meet in court''.
I replied that he is meeting The Guardian in court, not me.
But he insisted that it was me. After the meeting, he called me
aside and assured me that the matter could be settled. That
people are just trying to pull him down and that he is a nice
fellow and that we could become friends. He then asked me to
come to Abuja at his expense to spend a few days. I told him I
would be delighted, that all I need for me to come is for him to
write a letter to the editor of The Guardian, Mr. Debo Adesina
asking for my release.
When I told him to write The Guardian, he realized that I just
told him politely I was not interested.
People familiar with Nigerian media might be surprised by the
roles of my colleagues, because ordinarily, Nigerian journalists
support their colleagues when they have a case in court.
But majority of my colleagues not only queued behind Adamu,
but they urged him to deal with me.
While they could not say it to my face they normally tell my
friends that by the time Adamu finishes with me, I will pack
my bags and go into exile because my entire life's savings will
not be enough to pay the damages.

OUT OF COURT SETTLEMENT

One day Ade Ojeikere, Sports Editor of the Nation Newspaper
arranged a meeting between myself and Adamu at his place in
Park View Estate, Ikoyi but I declined. Later, Ojeikere called me
to his office at The Nation and told me that he had discussed
with Adamu and that he agreed to withdraw the case.
Ojeikere also told me of the role Mike Itemuagbor, Adamu's
friend, played in persuading Adamu to withdraw the case
from court. After a lengthy discussion, Ojeikere called
Itemuagbor on phone. They spoke for a few minutes, and then
Ojeikere gave me the phone to speak to Itemuagbor.
He (Itemuagbor) equally assured me that the case is now a
dead issue and that we should avoid situations that could lead
to another legal battle in future.

GREATEST MISTAKE

With that assurance, I went to sleep and forgot about the case.
This turned out to be my greatest undoing. Adamu continued
with the case. The judge took evidence of his witnesses and
himself, without letting us, the accused, know anything.
After the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, I went on leave. It was
while on leave that I got information that a judge was on the
verge of ruling on the case in Abuja.
I met Kingsley Osadolor, the legal adviser of The Guardian
Newspapers and told him of my shock and surprise, since
Adamu had promised to withdraw the case from court.

DRAMA IN COURT

A bigger drama happened in court. I met one lawyer, Tolu,
who looked and talked like a gentleman. He was The
Guardian's lawyer and he told me he had been on the case for
a while, and that he had prepared a statement of defence for
me. All I had to do is to tell the judge that the statement was
mine.
The first thing that came to my mind was. This is a set up.
Beware, it could be part of the ploy organized by Adamu and
his men. I had never met this guy before in my life. I said to
him, 'If you are representing me, at least you need to talk to
me first before you draw up a statement for me.''
Secondly, without my consent, a signature, which did not in
any way resemble mine, had been appended.
When the judge called me to the witness box, I told him all I
knew about the case and that I thought Adamu had
withdrawn it from the court.
I was shown the statements that Tolu, the lawyer, had
appended my signature to. There and then, I told the judge
the truth. That I had never met Tolu before that day and that
the signature on the statement was not mine Whereas I was in
court without legal representation, Adamu was represented
by the firm of Adetokunboh Kayode, a Senior Advocate of
Nigeria(SAN) - equivalent of the British Queens Counsel.
Two senior lawyers from the chambers were trying to get me
to admit that the statement was mine. It was at that point that
my mind told me they could probably be playing a game on
me.
I pleaded with the judge to allow me get a lawyer to represent
me since Tolu could not be my lawyer. The judge, Justice
Danjuma, agreed and adjourned the case till January 2009.

LOOKING FOR A LAWYER

Back in Lagos, I started looking for a lawyer that would help
me handle the case for minimal fee but I could not find any.
Most of the lawyers I contacted presented me with a bill that
was clearly beyond my ability to pay.
Incidentally, all the people that provided the documents that
were used in writing the stories were not ready give evidence
against Adamu in court.
With days to the next adjournment turning into hours and I
could still not find a sympathetic lawyer, the thought of losing
the case became real. But when all hopes seemed lost Blessing
Eghagha, a former colleague, suggested we see a lawyer,
Abiodun Onidare, who had an office in Maryland, Lagos.
Dark and huge, Onidare's beautiful office and his state of the
art cars made me lose hope the more. 'This guy will be very
expensive', I thought. But after listening to us for about 10
minutes, Onidare volunteered to represent me for a token. He,
however, added that I would be responsible for the filing fees,
paperwork, flight to Abuja, hotel accommodation, airport taxi
and other sundry expenses.
Because the date for the next adjournment was too close, we
agreed to send a lawyer with a letter to Abuja to plead for a
new date.
Thus began another round of legal puzzles and several trips to
Abuja. For a journalist with lean resources, it was a serious
drain on my purse. There was this particular trip that we had
to make to Abuja and I could not raise the funds we needed.
I was on the verge of calling the lawyer that all my hopes of
raising money was lost, when my Pastor, two friends of
Adamu, a lady and a man, whose name I cannot mention,
gave me financial assistance.

ADAMU'S REPUTATION AND STUPENDOUS WEALTH

With many refusing to give evidence against Adamu in court,
the lawyer had to resort to questioning the source of Adamu's
stupendous wealth and his vast business empire as a civil
servant to prove that he is corrupt and cannot sue for
defamation of character.

LOCAL PRESS

While Onidare continued the battle in court, I told Eghagha
that I will use my contacts in the media to take the case to the
court of public opinion. Eghagha warned me it would be an
exercise in futility as Adamu is powerful enough to ensure the
stories are not used in the press.
It thought it was a joke, but my attempts to take the case to
court of public opinion failed.
All the media houses failed to run the story, only Ojekiere of
The Nation used my story.

INTERNATIONAL PRESS.

When I told Andrew Jennings of Transparency in Sports
International, he demanded for all the facts of the case, the e-
mails and telephone numbers of all the parties. That was all
Jennings needed to take the case to the court of public opinion
internationally.
From Jennings' website, a US-based internet site
( www.saharareporters.com), with special focus on news about
Nigeria not only picked the story, they went a step further by
digging deeper into Adamu's life, and posting pictures of his
mansions, especially the one he lives in at Park View Estates,
Lagos and the multi-million naira wedding for his son on their
website. They also do regularly updates on the website.

JUDGEMENT

After the judge heard my side of the story, my lawyer called to
inform me that the judge would rule March 11 and 12.
The March 11 ruling was for the matter between me and
Adamu, and the next days would be on the matter between
Adamu, I and the Guardian.
In the matter between I and Adamu, Onidare called me in the
evening of March 11 to inform me that the judge had granted
my prayers, and then the next day, he called to inform me that
the judge had dismissed Adamu's case against I and The
Guardian.

DAVID DEFEATS GOLIATH

That was how a struggling journalist, who could barely afford
the service of a lawyer, defeated a FIFA and CAF executive
member who employed the service of a SAN for millions of
naira in court.

COUNTING COSTS

There is still a big hole in my pocket as a result of the case. I
am still in debt. I still cannot collect the judgment so that I can
counter-sue. I still need money for a lot of things, but the
innate joy that I have that truth prevailed at the end of the day
compensates for all the financial losses and emotional trauma.
Paper presented by Olukayode Abimbola Thomas at the 2009
Play the Game conference at Coventry University, England.
From June 8- 12.

Airtel or Zain

Name has changed again but what about the services? Are we going to witness any significant changes from the new owner? Well, with time, i will be chronicling on this page what people expect from the network in the days ahead.

Jonathan and the northern politicians

The topic that dominates the press for the past few weeks now has been the political struggle between the north and the incubent President Goodluck Jonathan.
If i may ask according to the most popular screeming headlines, what is it in the north that the incubent President could be so scared of up to closing to shed tears?
Mr President can you take some clues from other African leaders who confused the election results up to the extent that even the United Nations came to their kneels begging for crumbs like a kind of power sharing agreement.
Afterall your opponents know the power of incumbency. If they claim they dont know, how come you sneezed and they are all coughing?
Remember when you nimbled something like treason, they were all over the media trying to explain one or two things to the world.
Well, it is up to you to choose how you cut the yam since you hold the yam and the knife.
Remember that in politics the heart is deeper than writing an agreement to give you their mandates.
Do i hear you say politics is strictly based on quantity and not quality? Ask the founders of 'DEMOCRACY'.
I hereby rest my case.

Jang swear-in a Factional PDP Chairman in Jos

Jang swear-in a Factional PDP Chairman

Bayo Alabira, Joss

Another trouble in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Plateau state chapter has just loomed in, as Governor Jonah David Jang inaugurated his factional chairman, in person of Dr Haruna Khitwe Dabin, who replaced the former chairman Professor Dakum Shown who was appointed Adviser on Political Affairs to the governor.

In his acceptance speech, the new chairman of the factional PDP, Haruna Dabin has appealed to their supporters to rally round the newly constituted PDP Executive members to void another dissolution of the members as it happened before due to the “so-called intra-party squabbles”, which has only produced more heat than light for the people of Plateau state.

According to him that, “We have had untold bloodletting in our land and our people have continued to be hunted and hacked-down mercilessly in their land, for how long will these troubles continues.”

Stressing that, there is a new dawn in the PDP Plateau state as “no winner, no vanquished, so permit me to repeat here-that at the end of the fierce struggle for the soul of the party in the state, there is no winner, and no loser, but Plateau people chapter have become the stronger and will continue to occupy the inevitable place as the defender of truth and justice in the nation”.

When contacted, the former governor of the state, Chief Joshua Chibi Dariye said governor Jang is a joker, because the other PDP members have no business with the chairman that was sworn-in yesterday, as he belongs to a factional of the party.

According Dariye that the National Secretariat of the PDP was not aware of the “so-to-say swearing in of Haruna Dabin as the state party chairman, because none of the national exco was present at the occasion. “Therefore, all I know that there is going to be congresses in Plateau state whether they like it or not, that is the only way out for the state”.

The inauguration was performed yesterday at the factional PDP secretariat, Korinjo House along Dogon Karfe Jos, by Barrister Lawrence Anyia of the Shalom Chambers, before governor Jang who was there life as observer and other prominent members of the faction

However, most of the local government chairmen and House of Assembly members were absent during the factional chairman swearing in occasion yesterday, because they shunned the occasion to avoid being considered by the national secretariat as lawless PDP members, our man gathered.

Bomb scare in Jos

Bomb scare stall court proceedings in Jos
Bayo Alabira, Jos
Court proceedings and other business activities were disrupted yesterday morning at the state High Court Jos Plateau state capital, as staff and people made desperate move to leave the promises of the court to save their lives when the runours of possible Bomb explosion in the complex was made.
However, nobody has agreed to speak to this reporter at the promises of the High Court, but people were seen rushing to different directions leaving the promises, before they could be cough up with the impossibility that will cause them their lives.
According to the rumours that the Bomb was planted in the complex of the building, but the exact place or portion where it was planted was not known which made it very difficult for anybody to hang around and ask questions, rather people were rushing to leave the place in helter-skelter note.
One of the staff who declined to made comment earlier, but later said all of them were inside their various offices when they were alerted by the security men who were at the spot and barricade all the entrances to the promises of the court and the uniform men who were also there and condoned the entire area.
Therefore, all staff of the court left except the security men that were there to conduct search, one of State Security Service (SSS), told Peoples Daily that they were conducting search in all the offices of the building based on the rumours they received, and could not say anything more than that.
When contacted, the Spoke man of the Special Task Force, Lt. Co. Kingsley Umoh said when he confirm the incident he would let the press know. Although there was no explosion yet, but the issue was the talk of the town. And all effort to speak to any officer of the court failed as nobody was ready to talk

Ebira politics, a question for the common man

it is just a question that i want to ask.
who delegated Musa Etudaye to endorse Philip as the concensus governorship candidate for the whole ebira opete as broadcast on NTA news of 24th may 2010 on the nine p.m. news?

Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, Former Governor of Old Kano State is Dead

Monitored by Idris Jatto.

According to news monitored on AIT morning program KAAKAKI the African voice, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi the former Governor of old Kano state has been declared dead after early morning encounter with armed robbers on a journey between Bauchi and Kano road.

According to the report, he was traveling in company of his brother and other associates when they ran into a gang of robbers who had been terrorizing that route for quite sometimes due to security quagmire of the Nigeria Police to effectively curb the menace.

He was dispossessed of his phones and valuables and allowed to go and shortly afterward, he died of the shock received from the attack.

Meanwhile, as at the time of writing this report, other stations monitored like NTA AM Express program has not reported any story of such.

This is one of the many reminders that the problem of security in Nigeria is no respecter of anybody be you politician or ordinary common Nigerians.

It is still fresh in our memory the recent report published in many newspapers in Nigeria about the robbery incident where a luxury bus reportedly crushed over twenty innocent Nigerians to death around Benin-Ore road.

If the people in authority fail in their responsibility to protect the citizens, definitely they will leave the power shield and come back to be one of the ordinary citizens without the paraphernalia of VIP treatment received when in office and that is when they become vulnerable to such attacks like anyone else.

I am sure that such things might not have easily befallen Alhaji Rimi if he were still in power.

well, i conclude this writing by reminding us that a stitch in time saves nine and that death is inevitable and compulsory for all. It could be anybody!

JOS CRISES; DO NOT CONFRONT THE SOLDIERS……………DEPUTY GOVERNOR

JOS CRISES; DO NOT CONFRONT THE SOLDIERS……………DEPUTY GOVERNOR

Against the backdrop of increasing cases of clashes between the Military and the Youths in Plateau state, the state Deputy Governor Mrs. Pauline Tallen has warned on the open confrontation with the Soldiers on Peace keeping mission in order not to escalate the situation in the state.

Tallen who spoke at the presentation of building materials to those affected by the last crises in Anglo Jos and Congo Russia parts of Jos, donated by the Bridge Builders association yesterday.

The deputy governor therefore commended the association for donating building materials to victims of the crisis in the state, saying what took place in Plateau state in the last few years is a shame to the political class in the state which was known as the ‘Home of peace and tourism’ before the recent incidents that changed its name home of violence.

Mrs. Pauline Tallen described the last outbreak of violence in Plateau state as madness saying all those that partook in the crises cannot be said to be in their right senses even though they claimed they were killing in the name of God.

She described all those that responsible in the violence that rocked the state as “mad” adding that people in their right senses would not do such a thing.

Tallen encouraged the people of the state to try and live with one another irrespective of religious and ethnic differences saying if religious and political leaders would be sincere in what they do peace would return to the state.

National chairman of the bridge builders association, Rev. Josiah Fearon, prayed that the last violence would be the last in the state and encouraged individuals as well as organizations to come to the aid of those affected by the crises.

The secretary (political) of the British High Commission in Nigeria, Jonathan Evans who was at the occasion said the British government would encourage every effort to see that those who are behind the crises are brought to book and lamented over what he described as leadership failure.

The organization donated about 30 pieces of woods, two bundles of zincs and nails to about 60 individuals in both Anglo Jos and Congo Russia, which were the areas worst hit during the last violence where Muslims and their Christian counterparts engaged themselves serious squabble.

Also speaking, the National Secretary, Ustaz Mahdi Shehu, called on both the Muslims and Christians residents in Jos to learn to tolerate one another as the two religious do not preach violence.

He said the two teaches their adherents on how to stay and relate peacefully with one another without showing differences on ethnic and cultural background .

'We want plateau state to reconsider membership of Northern Governors Forum'...........Berom Youth

From Jos.

The Berom Youth Movement (BYM), has called on the Plateau state government to reconsider its membership of the Northern Governors Forum, in view of what it’s called antagonistic tendencies of the Northern Region towards the state.

Addressing a world press conference in Jos yesterday, the National President of the Movement, Mr, Francis Dalyop Jamang stressed that, ‘’ We believe that belonging to any organisation with the northern connotation is of no benefit to our state’’.

''This explains why the Niger State governor, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu took time to make derogatory statements on the person of our dear governor Da Jonah David Jang while addressing the gathering of northern traditional rulers recently. We unequivocally state that the Plateau people who elected Da Jonah David Jang are indeed pleased with his developmental programme which is second to none and so are not deceived by these agents of destabilization’’.

The BYM has accused Bauchi state government as one of the chief sponsors of the terror that is being unleashed on the people of the state, in which they are calling on the federal government to investigate the Bauchi state with respect to the current Jos crisis in the state.

‘’The Berom Youth Movement therefore, finds it hypocritical and offensive for the University of Jos management to deem it fit to confer on the Bauchi state Governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda, Matawallen Bauchi a honorary Doctorate Degree of what ever kind at this time when he and his government cannot be exonerated from being part of sponsorship of the recent Jos crisis’’.

The Organisation also expressed reservation on the current Presidential Committee on Jos crisis under the leadership of Chief Solomon Lar, which they described as being compromised, therefore, cannot achieve the purpose for which it was set up to achieve.

‘’This is buttressed by the fact that some members of the committee including Alhaji Sale Hassan, Alhaji Salisu Nakande, Alhjaji Ibrahim Mantu have all been indicted as masterminds of the Jos crises by past Judicial Commission of Inquiries, the committee therefore, should be dissolved or reconstituted in order to enjoy the confidence of the people’’.

The BYM further expressed it’s concerned on what they call isolated attacks targeted on the Berom alone, they said in view of this, they are calling on other Plateau state indigenes to join them in the fight against the Hausa Fulani other wise, when they are done with, other ethnic groups may not be spared by the Hausa Fulani expansionists.

According to the President that, Berom is targeted because they occupied the larger part of the land in Jos the state capital more than the other ethnic groups and they spearheaded the refusal of the sale of land to the Hausa Fulani.
Jamang also reiterated that, the Berom will continue with the fight against any invasion that anybody may think of carrying out now or in the future, because all the elders from Plateau state are with them, even those that are not talking are working with them.

To protect the Berom nation from any further attack, BYM is therefore rekindling the tradition of ‘Beren Kanang ‘ , which was last activated more than a century ago in view of the 1873 Jihadist invasion attempt on the Plateau..

‘’All Berom youths, men and women of good virtue should stay home on Friday, 25 march, 2010 in observance of this tradition, for those who have cause to leave their homes, they should be appropriately dressed in Berom attire and adorn with ‘tee’. Jesus our Saviour!

Army hands over fake soldier to police

From our correspondent in Jos

The Special Task Force (STF) set up by the Federal Government to restore peace in Jos following last January civil unrest has handed over a fake soldier to plateau state police Command for prosecution just as incidents of fake soldiers is now rampant in the state

The fake soldier who was identified as Sambo Tomchangyel was at the weekend handed over by the Coordinator Media Centre, STF, Brigadier General Donald Oji who later handed him to the Plateau state Command on behalf of STF Commander.

While handing over the suspect to the police, General Oji said, “Tomchangyel was arrested at Kuru area on Monday 11th March 2010 about 2:30 in the afternoon while impersonating as a Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army, he was fully dressed, but for the watchful eye of the members of the STF, he would have gone away free”.

A preliminary investigation according to Oji reveals that “the gentleman has been going about parading himself as a medical officer in the Nigerian Army, in some areas as an Army Corps of Engineers”.

He added that reports reveals that the suspects hailed from Kanke local government area of Plateau state “and that his primary assignment is to source for the new camouflage uniform that the members of the STF are wearing with the identification tag, the purpose for which we don’t know yet”.
“That was why he was arrested and we now want to formally hand him over to the police for further investigation through which other things will be unraveled about his mission to procure the uniform”.

The Assistant Commissioner C.I.D of the Plateau state Command Mr. Femi Adeleye who received the suspects on behalf of the command thanked the Nigerian army for their arrest as well as the handing over of the suspect and further assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted on the matter.

The Inspector General of Police Mr Ogbonnoya Onovo has appealed to the warring faction on the Plateau

By our correspondent in Jos.

The Inspector General of Police Mr Ogbonnoya Onovo has appealed to the warring faction on the Plateau to Shiite their swords and embrace peace for the socio economic development of the state.

Mr Onovo made the call recently while addressing Police officers at the Plateau Police Command headquarters where he said policemen must preach peace on the plateau to their ethnic communities when we preach peace to our people all will embrace peace and peace will return to plateau
He said we are worried with what is happening on the Plateau “and we are working with other security operatives to restore peace in the state”.

IGP commended the Police and other security forces for the professional role they are playing in the restoration of peace on the Plateau and urged them to do more in other to return the name of the Plateau as home of peace and tourism.
He said “no amount of black mail or accusation will detract you from your work no matter the black mail you remain calm and compose continue with your work till you achieve peace and protect lives and property which is the cardinal objective of your work”

Mr Onovo said Police will deploy their officers in to all the nooks and crannies of the state including the remote areas with bad and difficult terrain in other to prevent further insurgencies in the state and pledged to provide the command with vehicles and communication facilities in other to ease their difficulties.
He said security operatives all over the World are faced with challenges due to the new techniques developed by criminals to perform their criminality and as police officers we must improve our intelligence gathering so that we can be ahead of them as Police officers.

Onovo said duties of Policeman must be 24 hours and Division Police Officers will hence forth be held responsible for any insurgency discovered in their area for that all of them must be up and doing in other to protect lives and properties of the citizens.

The General Officer Commanding 3rd armored Division Major General Saleh Maina commended the cordial relationship existing between Police and the Army adding that Police are doing their work efficiently, boldly and professionally under the task force for the restoration of peace on the Plateau.

MUSLIM UMMAH WANT FG TO INVESTIGATE SILENCE KILLING

JOS CRISES: MUSLIM UMMAH WANT FG TO INVESTIGATE SILENCE KILLING.

FROM: BUHARI B. BELLO, JOS

The Muslim Ummah in Plateau State has passionately called on the federal government and security agencies to intensify effort at arresting the wave of secret killings aftermaths of the crises in the state.

A Press statement signed by Mallam Sani Muhammed Mudi, Head of Information desk made available to NNN said there is need to investigate what he described as the silent killing and guarantee freedom of movement to allow for the restoration of peace in the trouble prone Plateau State.

“We call on the government and security agencies to move further and prevent all Muslims residing and carrying out legitimate business in the state especially Muslim journalists and protect them from harassment as well as all forms of intimidation.

“We are equally appealing to the authorities to guarantee the safety of travelers on the high way and protect them from wanton destruction which has being the case in all the series of crises that has been taking place.

Besides, the Muslim also urged the special task force troops recently on peace keeping in Jos to intensify surveillance to locate missing persons and identify all the flashpoints in the metropolis.

The Ummah also noted with dismay the outburst of certain officials of the Plateau State government and their reactions on the attack at Dogo Nahauwa village where some government functionaries alleged to have provided conflicting figures of casualties and say to have tailoring propaganda on the crises

Power Shift, Igala, Okun and the Ebira

Power Shift, Igala, Okun and the Ebira

By Joshua Ocheja

The phrase Power shift might sound a bit unpleasant especially as it relates to the political atmosphere in Kogi state, but it is yet the indispensable drumbeat of change whose rhythm will open the dance floor to endless expression of intent for sound minds, regardless of tribe, religion or location. This dance floor will serve as the catalyst for the much awaited Kogi Renaissance.

This piece is a child of necessity that has been in the womb, incubating and gathering momentum, principally to highlight the need for why tribal differences should be ignored in totality as regards governance in Kogi state. But rather individuals, content of character, blueprint for development, sense of judgment, experience, exposure, track record and intellectual ability should be encouraged regardless of sentiments along the line of majority and minority tribes.

The state also referred to as the confluence state, is blessed with abundance of resources, and a host of others that beats our imagination on how we have failed to effectively utilize them. That we are where we are today is a product of deep rooted ethnicity, tribalism and selfish motives exhibited by a cabal that views the citizenry from a disdainful perspective.

It gets more depressing, when the list of prominent names is reeled out. These names have distinguished themselves in the scheme of affairs in the country. Names like Sunday Awoniyi, Francis Idachaba, Eyitayo Lambo, M.M Wokili, Isah Ocheja, Julius Sunday Oshanupin, Aliyu Atta, Olushola Akanmode, Bayo Ojo, Smart Adeyemi, Abdulahi Ibrahim (SAN) Ibrahim Ogohi, Kola Jamodu, David Jemibewon Jide Omokore, J.E Ataguba, Yakubu Mohammad, Salihu Atawodi, Eugenia Abu, Professor Oyibo and a host of others.

The dynamic nature of the state makes the strengths and weakness of the various zones very visible. The Igala’s are known to be the major ethnic tribe, parading an intimidating list of uniform men, business men and politicians.

The Ebira’s are placed second in the political hierarchy with successful business men and politicians, while the Okun’s parades intelligentsias and technocrats, a place generally regarded as the fountain of knowledge in Kogi state.

In life, knowledge is open to all that embraces it and leadership abilities are not determined by tribe or religion. I say this with all conviction that the state remains an illusion, considering the class and caliber of persons wearing the badge of Kogi state.

Igala is the language spoken by the people located within the triangle formed by the confluence of the rivers Niger and Benue in Kogi State. 'The Igala people are found east of the confluence of these rivers. It is 120 kilometers wide and 160 kilometers long and covers an area of about 13,665 square kilometers. The Igala people are evenly distributed all over the land but with Anyigba, Ankpa and Idah more densely populated.

The Okun dialects which comprise Owé, Ìyàgbà, Ìjùmú, Bùnú and Ọ̀wọ́rọ̀ are spoken in the southern axis of Kogi State. The dialects are distinguishable as individual dialects but they are mutually intelligible to an extent. Owé, Ìyàgbà, Ìjùmú, Bùnú and Ọ̀wọ́rọ̀ people are referred to as the Okun people.

The Ebira’s occupies the western axis of Kogi state, with a population that is a little over a million. Predominantly farmers, and crafts men with lots of ingenuity in the area of skilled handcrafts. The word Ebira translates to manners or characters, which has defined their identity till date. They are said to be hostile and aggressive, which is more of perception rather than reality.

In that mood of reflection, I also tried to trace the origin of the politics of governance in Nigeria that has degenerated to a level that smacks a mockery of the type of democracy we are practicing.

Democracy is not a sharply defined form of government that would need to be implemented in just one and no other way. Both in theory and in practice there are as many systems of democracy than democratic countries. In a Democracy, people are supposed to be free to speak, to read and to choose what they want to buy, sell & own, without such freedom the word has no meaning.

Some of us still harbor illusions that Nigeria is a democracy just because we elect our government. However, for a democratic setup like ours, we do seem to have some pretty odd ways of demonstrating our commitment to the democratic ideals of freedom, justice & equality.

The political structure in Kogi state is the case study. The Igala’s have been at the helms of affairs while other zones in the state have been confined to play the second fiddle role in governance, which has not gone down considerably well.

The situation is not peculiar to Kogi state alone, as it is evident across the federation, which might force a discerning mind to interpret our kind of democracy as dictatorial in nature.

The rapid decline both in human capital and infrastructures is left to be imagined. The Igala’s though wielding supremacy on the lines of the dominant ethnic tribe constitutes the major architect of the shambles experienced in Kogi state and this I say without fear or favor and in fairness to good governance, which is ironically the bitter truth.

Yours sincerely, is Igala and one that is conversant with the intrigues playing out in the state. Where we are today, were brought about by a ruling class that refused to rise above ethnic sentiments, a ruling class that is highly dependent on the dictates of age long doctrines that has no relevance in the present dispensation, which has further set us backwards rather than propel us into greatness.

This situation has progressed into a state of delusion, propelled by the sheer polarization of the inalienable right of fair and equal representation. This mindset that is the norm has also proven an encumbrance that will further encourage decadence and disillusionment in the present and the future of Kogites.

The critics of a level playing ground for all, regardless of ethnic and religious affiliations in Kogi state does display an idiosyncratic belief that is not in tandem with a generally accepted reality, a reality that emphasizes that all humans are equal and leadership is not the exclusive preserve of a certain tribe.

I stand to be corrected, a trip round the eastern axis of Kogi state, that houses the Igala’s, reveals tales of abject poverty, and this feat is equally replicated in other zones in the state. This smacks a mockery of who we are as a people and as a state.

As it stands today, a level playing ground for all regardless, has no twin name. It is a child of necessity that must be delivered, if we must unclench our fist from the claws of despondency, into claiming our rightful place in the country. The argument remains that the Igala’s have been at the helms of affairs since the creation of the state and there is little or nothing to show for it.

The list of intelligentsia and technocrats are intimidating, yet we wallow in the breeze of despair. We are celebrated outside, yet we are cursed inside, we are brilliant outside and yet we are fools inside. Who are we deceiving?

These and many more are the direct consequence of hinging the right of governance on a particular ethnic tribe, vaguely viewed as the dominant tribe. The present realities as evident in the Obama Presidency in the United States of America represents the new order that must be embraced in Kogi state and Nigeria in general.

The issue of majority and minority should be relegated to the background, but the issue that should be embraced is the collective development of the state.

At this point, though a full blooded Igala, but in fairness, devoid of ethnic sentiments and selfish reasons, I root for the Okun’s as producing the next governor of Kogi state, and I strongly encourage my fellow brothers to see light in my position.

This position of mine is not borne out of selfish reasons, but an interest that originated from deep thoughts about my dear state. We ought to move forward, we should give them a chance to prove that their knowledge base can be beneficial for the overall interest of Kogi state.

jocheja@aol.com

Another crisis averted in Jos

Another crisis averted in Jos

Our correspondent in JOS

An attempt by a group of people to intern their dead ones at a cemetery along Zaria road in Jos on Tuesday almost resulted in another break down of law and order in Jos but for the timely intervention of the security agency posted to the state capital who brought the situation under control.

According to information gathered, the people who went to Rusau burial ground were attacked by some youths living in the area; telling them to leave the area if they value their lives and in the skirmish that followed, few people were wounded.

One of the persons who went to the burial ground, Mallam Bello Yusuf disclosed that on Tuesday morning when they were in the process of digging the grave, some armed youths including elders came around and said that we should stop the burial or else they would deal with us in the presence of the mobile police.

The police fired a shot to the air and those that went with the corpse dropped it and ran from the scene but ‘before I could run they held me and started beating me and with a sharp object one of them was carrying, I was injured in the hands and on my head”

We gathered that the problem had been lingering for about three days. It was learnt that on Monday when the same group went with the corpse to the cemetery some hoodlums who went with them started howling stones on the villagers and this made the villagers to give them warning to stop coming to the burial ground as they are no longer interested in selling the land to the people to use as cemetery.

One of the villagers told Daily Sun that because of the Jos crisis the people in the area no longer want any dealing with the Hausas who have abused the hospitality extended to them by the indigenous people.

Another person who said he witnessed the first incident three days ago however said trouble, started on Monday afternoon when he went to Rusau, he saw that a group of people in the area had barricaded the road leading to the burial ground, among them there are youths and elders he knows very well and when he approached them he discovered that they were not ready to talk to him so he just left.

Alhaji Bawa Muhammed Rusau said he was living there before the last crisis which forced him to relocate to Yelwa Zango, another village close by.

However, the Chairman of the Council of Ulama, Plateau state, Sheikh Balarabe Daud has appealed to the federal and state government, Commissioner of Police, Director of State Security Services (SSS) and the General Officer Commanding (G.O.C.) to intensify efforts and strengthening the security apparatus in the state to avoid another serious crisis again.

The chairman made the call in an emergency meeting held by the Council of Ulama on the recent happenings

“We have written letters informing the security operatives that include, the Commissioner of Police, Director of SSS and the GOC, yet nothing has been done to avert this ugly situation.

“So, we do not want a situation where our youths will get fed up with these problems and decide to defend them selves; pointing out that this has continued for good three days at Rusau, Bukuru and Sabon Layi, we reported nothing has been done”

There was pandemonium in places around Farin Gada, Students Village and around Angwan Rimi and part of Angwan Rogo because of Tuesday’s incident forcing many people to return home even before the start of the curfew at 6.00 pm.

Already security operatives including the soldiers had already condoned the entire environment, and calm has been restored.

In related development, security operatives in the state now wear new special uniform that looks like that of United Nations Peace Keepers. It was learnt that the uniform was change in order to avoid fake security operatives from getting in and causing havoc in some parts of the state.

VALUE OF TIME

Dear Reader,

Have you heard the joke about the patient who visits his
doctor for a routine checkup? "I'm sorry to tell you," the
doctor says, "but you are dying from a very rare terminal
illness." After taking a moment to regain his composure,
the patient asks nervously: "How long do I have, doc?"
"10." the doctor begins. "Ten WHAT?" the patient interrupts
to ask. "Ten years, ten months, ten weeks?" In response the
doctor simply continues: "9...8...7..."

At least to some degree, I think we all can relate to that
poor patient; so much to do and so little time. 18th
century British statesman and diplomat Lord Chesterfield
nailed it on the head when he said, "Know the true value of
time; snatch, seize and enjoy every moment of it. No
idleness, no laziness, no procrastination: never put off
till tomorrow what you can do today."

JOS CRISIS: COCIN CHURCH TAKES STOCK

JOS CRISIS: COCIN CHURCH TAKES STOCK

From our correspondent, in Jos.

The Church of Christ in Nigeria, COCIN, headquarters, Jos, Plateau state has taken stock of its casualties during the January 17 civil unrest in the parts of the state, lamenting that over 689 families have been displaced in its Rural Church Council, RCC, Jos even as it says that the crisis is yet from being over.

Briefing the press at the headquarters of the church, the Vice President, Rev.( DR) Soja Bewarang, said security agents, particularly soldiers drafted in to quell the riots did not help matters are they clearly took side while the crisis lasted.

The church expressed worry over comments credited to a group identifying as “Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, which has offered to assist Nigerian Muslims with training and weapons” stating as a dangerous development which if left unchecked poses grave dangers to the corporate existence of the country.

It then warned inhabitants of the state that the “matter is not about David Jang or the Berom Nation. Yesterday it was Chibi Joshua Dariye. Tomorrow, who knows? As long as it is a Christian and not a Hausa Muslim!

According to the church, the perpetrators of these acts always run out of the state anytime they maim, killed ,loot and burn, because they have a home to run to; but for a citizen of the state where does he or she runs to, “when chased out of his\her ancestral home.

It then recommended that the true ownership of Jos, with the mechanism governing the operations of traditional institutions that have not been in used should be looked into, while reports of past judicial and other commissions of inquiries be implemented without delay.

Also, the availability of weapons in the hands of unauthorized persons must be investigated by the authority while in particular; the actions of the Chief of Army Staff and the General Officer Commanding, GOC, third Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army should be thoroughly investigated and tried if guilty in a court of competent jurisdiction.

JOS CRISIS: PLSG OBJECTED TO TRIALS BY FG

JOS CRISIS: PLSG OBJECTED TO TRIALS BY FG

From our correspondent in Jos.

The Plateau state government has seriously objected to trials of suspects, arrested in the civil unrest in the state by the federal government in an Abuja High Court, which, according to it, was in contravention of the body of Attorneys-General meeting which agreed that such suspects should be tried where the offences was committee

Briefing the press in his office, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Edward Pwajok, said the government has consistently appealed to the federal authorities to return suspects arrested in the wake of the 2008 and 2010 civil crises in the state was becoming frustrating, because these request always falls on deaf ears.

He said the state is now handicapped over the fate of suspects arrested within the state in the heat of the crises, saying, the police, Army, State service, SSS, and others whose duties are to keep the suspects in their custody, have refused to cooperate with the state which is ready at anytime to ensure the prosecution of the suspects.

According to him, “no suspect of the November 2008 or January 2010 is in the custody of the Plat eau state government. The Police and security agencies that arrested them are federal government agencies”

“I am also worried that the police have wittingly or unwittingly contradicted and undermined the efforts of the federal government to delist Nigeria from the American terrorist watch list. The suspects are being charged under section 15 of the EFCC Act, which is on terrorism”, he added.
He queried that since the federal government was trying the suspects fro terrorism under the Nigeria’s laws, how then can the country justify it self to the outside world that it has no terrorist.

The commissioner stressed that he was “worried that the hon. Attorney General of the Federation may have encouraged the police to use the EFCC Act because he briefed us on that possibility during the meeting (Body of Attorneys-general) of the 26th January 2010 to that effect”

He further asked that are some “persons in the federal government so desperate to avoid due process by trying the suspects in Plateau state that they are willing to take a route that will give the international Community the irrefutable proof we are a terrorist country?

In that vein, he warned that without cooperation and collaboration between the federal and state governments on issues relating to these, then the problems are far from being addressed, even as he emphasized that “the characteristic silence of the office of the Inspector general of Police and the Honorable Attorney-general of the federation in this regard will definitely in the circumstance not be golden”

Obasanjo lacks honour to ask Yar’Adua to resign – Shehu Sani

Obasanjo lacks honour to ask Yar’Adua to resign – Shehu Sani
From Buhari B. Bello Jos

Human Rights Activist, Mallam Shehu Sani, has joined in the growing number of Nigerians who had castigated the former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s advice to his successor, Alhaji Umar Yar’Adua to take the path of honour and resign.

He said that Obasanjo lacked the moral right to give such and advice to Yar’Adua as it was utterly “mischievous, ridiculous and irresponsible”.


Sani, who spoke to newsmen in Jos recently, said that what Obasanjo and some elements of his past administration wanted to do is to use the Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan to re-launch themselves into power.

He asked Obasanjo to rather apologize to Nigerians for the pains his administration inflicted on Nigerians.

The human rights activist said that if the country’s democracy must move forward, Nigerians should avoid anything that could bring the former president in to relevance again.

He accused Obasanjo of being behind the country’s present woes by presiding over a corrupt and inept leadership.

Recalling Obasanjo’s many failures in the power sector, roads, health care development, he accused the former president of using the instruments of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to hound other political opponents and presidential candidates, except Yar’Adua.

Sani said that people must not confuse Obasanjo’s statement with the constitutional requirements of Yar’Adua handing over to Jonathan.

He said, “And people must not confuse the call for Yar’Adua to hand over to Goodluck Jonathan and make mistake of allowing Obasanjo to re-launch himself into power. And we must be careful about some elements of Obasanjo’s former regime who wants Yar’Adua out of the way in order to have a puppet in the name of Goodluck Jonathan. Obasanjo represent danger to our democracy. Our democracy cannot move forward without an end to Obasanjo’s legacy.


Sani added, “Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s call for President Umar Musa Yar’Adua to toe the path of honour and resign is mischievous, ridiculous and irresponsible.

“Obasanjo lacks the modicum of honour to counsel others on honour. He is a man without honour. He does not have the moral right and honour to counsel Yar’Adua to resign. He is part and parcel of the problems that we are in today. He is in fact the architect of the problems we have in Nigeria.

“If he has honour, he would not have rigged the 2003 and 2007 elections;, if he has honour he would not have spent over $20 million in power sector that has not translated into light; If he has honour, he would not have spent trillions of naira in road maintenance and construction that delivered no road;

“If he has honour, he would not have spent hundreds of billions of naira in a primary health care that ended up in a cesspit of corruption; if he has honour, he could not have used the instruments of EFCC to impeach governors and intimidate political opponents and critics of his administration; If he has honour, he could not have attempted to elongate his stay in power in the name of third term;

“If he has honour, he could not have as the president of the country undermined the judiciary, abuse the fundamental rights of citizens and abuse his own power and privileges as president. If he has honour, he could not have engaged in the scam that is called TRANSCORP. If such a man has honour, he could have shame for himself and shut up and that is why we are saying that Obasanjo should simply shut up and apologize to Nigerians for what he has done, if he has honour, he could not have intimidated other presidential candidates, except Yar’Adua.

JOS CRISIS; MUSLIMS BLAMED PLATEAU ASSEMBLY, STATE GOVRNMENT

JOS CRISIS; MUSLIMS BLAMED PLATEAU ASSEMBLY, STATE GOVRNMENT
From our reporter.

The Ulama Elders Council in Jos has called on the Plateau State House of Assemble to trend with caution on its pronouncement on the on going crises in the state even as the state Government is further accused of deliberate policies aimed at marginalizing the Hausa/Fulani in the state.

The Council condemns the recent advertorial in some National daily’s by the Plateau State House of Assemble which it says is thinking along the same line with the Plateau State Government and call on them to note that Plateau State is not an island of itself.

Addressing a press conference in Jos yesterday, the spokesman of the Council Barrister Muhammad Lawal Ishaq notes with great concern fresh moves by the Plateau state Government to again over-heat the already heated situation in Jos Metropolis aimed at increasing hardship to the Muslim Ummah.

The Council also calls on the acting Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr. Ike Aduba to guide his utterances on the crises and further disagree with him on the death toll in Kuru Karama saying that he never invited the Muslims to summit the evidence in there disposal as regards to the killings that took place

“The Council of Ulama blames no person other than Governor Jang who, as the Chief Security Officer of the State, refused to act to stop the crisis. With due investigations, we will not be surprised if his direct complicity is established with facts and figures. Jang is no harbinger of Peace. He never hid his psychotic obsession to annihilate Muslims and the Hausas in Jos.
Jang has consistently displayed his bad leadership skill by refusing to cooperate with any attempts to find a lasting solution to this crisis. His flagrant confrontation against the Federal Government by refusing to accept the panel set up by the House of Representatives and the Abisoye Panel clearly shows him for whom he is. It is for this same reason that long before now, the Council of Ulama concluded that Jang is not capable of being an unbiased umpire. For the crisis in Jos to be resolve therefore, a neutral body interested in resolving conflict must get involved. Failure to do so, as it happened in the past, matters in Jos will keep going from bad to worse.”,
However the Council calls on the Federal Government not to relent on its effort in fishing out those who perpetrated the killings including innocent women and children who were previously untouched by the crisis but where encircled and mercilessly attacked.
Barrister Ishaq further alleged that through investigation conducted by the council “we discovered that the renovation of the Muslim house which was burnt during the previous crisis was used as a smokescreen, it was a trigger to a planned attack on unsuspecting Muslims” stressing that “this renew attack was well announced by its planners”.

He explains that “The presenters of memos before the (Abisoye) panel such as one Toma Jang Davou of Berom Parliament, one professor Nenfort Gomwalk of Plateau Indigenes Development Association (PIDAN), and one Adamu Bala who is the Plateau state CAN youth leader all declared that the crisis is not over yet and they are ready for war as long as the Hausa man continues to lay claim on Jos North, just before the crisis happened”.

The press conference which witnessed the attendance of Chief Imam of Jos Sheikh Balarabe Dawud, Sheikh Alhassan Sa’id, Deputy Chairman of council of Ulama JIBWIS, Sheikh Sa’idu Hassan Jingir, Chief Imam of Fibre Mosque Sheikh Kahlid Aliyu Abubakar and Chief Imam of Nuruddeen Abdurrahman Sunusi among others also decried the comments of Acting Commissioner of police who earlier stated that the death toll of Kuru Karama was 30 describing the statement as unfortunate.

Barrister Ishaq also added that the Acting CP should have contacted the council since they are stakeholders in the matter adding that “we here by take exception to his surprise denial of the death toll in Kuru, when he never invited us to submit evidences at our disposal of the killing over there. We feel that we should have been contacted since our doors are always open”.

“The irony in all these attacks on the outskirt of Jos is that the casualties are not the Hausas claiming ownership in Jos. They are not the people renovating their homes at Dutse Uku, they are innocent Muslims killed because of their faith”.

He therefore called on human rights groups and the International Criminal Court to set in motion an investigation machinery into the genocide in such places with the aim of bringing perpetrators of this dastardly acts to book adding that” for this crisis to be resolved a neutral body interested in resolving conflict must get involved, as it happened in the past, matters in Jos will keep going from bad to worse”.

FG calls to intervene in the Jos crisis

FG calls to intervene in the Jos crisis

From: our reporter, Jos.

A human right organization, based in Jos wants federal government’s quick intervention into the crisis that erupted in the capital city of plateau state which it described as madness.

Acting director of the organization, Gad Peters says the call has become necessary in view of the fact that the soldiers on the street are not helping matters with their reckless and indiscriminate shootings.

According to him, “it is on record that a number of persons have been killed from the bullets of Nigerian Soldiers. To make matters worse, I strongly think that our security agents have been overwhelmed by the current situation on the plateau”.

He said there has been report of a lot of fake soldiers in town therefore making it difficult to ascertain who the real people killing innocent citizens are.

He was of the opinion that, if the federal government had punished or prosecuted the perpetrators of the previous crises in the state, we wouldn't have been going through what we are going through now.

We strongly put the blame of the Sunday morning attack on Churches, on the security agencies, state and the federal government. We demand for the prosecution of all those alleged hoodlums and their faceless sponsors of this very crisis and previous once.

Jos Crisis; Muslim Ummah reacts to police hasty conclusion

Muslim Community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State has condemned what it described as hasty and false statement accredited to the plateau state police commissioner Mr Greg Ayanting that some Muslim youths where responsible for the renewed crises in jos which claimed the lives of over twenty five persons

A press statement issued by the Jos north Muslim Ummah signed by Sani Mudi said the statement made by the police commissioner was unfortunate saying that it clearly shows the commissioner’s bias against the Muslim Ummah even as the investigation has not ascertained the actual cause of the crises.

He said for the police commissioner to contradict himself by saying that the crisis was caused by some Muslim youths when he said the police are yet to ascertain the cause of the crisis was ridiculous and unacceptable to the Muslim community.

According to him, information available to the council indicated that the crisis started when a man whose house was vandalized and destroyed during the November 28 jos crisis wanted to renovate the house but was prevented from doing so by some angry, unidentified Christian youths.

He said, report of massive armed attack on the Muslim inhabitants of Rikkos Mai Damisa,Dogon Dutse, Unguwan Keke and Duala junction by armed Christian militias backed by some army and mobile personnel.

Mudi who is also the former vice chairman of Jos north local government council further explained that security personnel were seeing supporting the Christian militias who moved about in the dreaded Hilux Toyota pick-up van recording what they are doing on a camera with a joy and excitement.

According to him, within minutes, a crisis that started in Dutse Uku at the nose of the police spread to other areas and Christian youths armed with dangerous weapons including sophisticated guns attacked the Muslim laborers working in the house of one Kabiru Mohammad who wanted to rebuild his property after the last crisis in the state.

The statement added that two of them namely Safiyanu Abubakar and another unidentified person were instantly killed, adding that so far sixteen Muslim dead bodies have been taken to the jos central mosque by their relations while thirty five others are receiving treatments of various degrees of injuries mostly of gun shots.

He further said that about one hundred and fifty women and children are now taking shelters at jos central mosque even as sporadic shootings are still been heard in the state metropolis particularly at the affected areas.

In an interview with the owner of the house where the crisis started, Alhaji Mohammad Kabiru told new Nigeria that on November 28, 2008 his house was burnt at Dutse Uku Nassarawa Gwong which he was unable to rebuild since but considering the fact that peace has gradually returned to the state capital, he made effort to reconstruct the house but that he was prevented from doing so.

According to him, because the work was enormous he hired laborers on Sunday 17th of January 2010 to carry out the work, while the reconstruction was on progress, some Christian youths started stoning the driver of a tipper bringing sand to the site, a minute after that, as if it was planned, the youths appeared from all angles with dangerous weapons to carry out their attack.

He said, as he was trying to settle the scuffle, the Christian youths mobilized in large number approaching the site, “immediately I rushed to Yan-trailer to invite soldiers that are stationed there permanently, but before I reached there I saw them coming, they were already informed and we met on the way then we returned back to the site, then the indigenous people said that we should stop the work, that they do not want any Muslim to come back to that area,”

According to Alhaji Kabiru when the soldiers intervened some Christian youths in the area insisted that the work must be stopped, adding that at that moment the soldiers asked the workers to stop the work and leave but when they are about leaving, the next thing was an attack on them by the hoodlums who called themselves Christians.

Alhaji Kabiru pointed out that there was no Muslim who has returned to the area after the last crisis in 2008 except one person who repair his house during the Ramadan fast saying that he has not encroached on anybody’s land because he was there for more than twenty years and nobody ever complained about him or anything.

Also appealing to the Muslim Ummah in the state to desist from anything that could further escalate the trouble, the chief imam of jos central mosque Sheikh Balarabe Daud, said that fighting is not a good thing and it will not bring any development to the state urging the people to stay in their houses and stop peddling rumors that are capable of generating more tension in the state.

He also warned that people should also avoid spreading dangerous rumors among the followers of the two religions saying that they should accept the crisis as an act of God.

about jos crisis: the confusionists!

listening to the commissioner of police's broadcast on the Sunday evening of Jos crisis, one will wonder while the hasty conclusion by the police boss.

in a volatile country like ours where everything including merit is decided by ones' religious affiliation, it is not ideal to hastily pronounce which religious sect is attacking who.

well, we all know the consequences of such move.

either he is applauded or punished for such bold declaration.

the question now is what has happened to the CP.

the answer is that he has been recalled back to force headquarters in Abuja.

whatever happen to him from thereafter may not be for the consumption of the Nigerian populace.

well, my conclusion is that i wish you well police commissioner Greg Anyating in all your endeavors for i may not be privileged from hereafter to know what happen to you in your professional noble career of policing about one hundred and fifty million people of the most populous black nation in the whole wild world.

if you call Nigeria a sleeping giant, 'Na you know!'