Ending the Violence in Jos: A New Approach

By Msonter Anzaa

There is a raging fire on the Jos plateau. It has consumed both friends and enemies, adults and children, males and females, and Christians and Moslems. The trouble with Jos is complex and often underrated. Some people believe it is a religious issue while others say it is political. Whatever the popular opinion is, this piece believes it is a combination of politics and religion on one hand, and economic dissatisfaction on the other. But for just how long should human beings continue to slaughter one another like animals, and what new approach can be adopted to bring a permanent end to the Jos crisis?

The history of how the ancient serene city of Jos turned into a human abbattoir is known to all. It actually began with a feeling by the "indigenous" tribes of Plateau state that their economic and political privileges were being taken over by "non-indigenes" also called "settlers". A religious dimension was introduced quite easily due to the nature of the state itself. While the local people like the Biroms are majorly Christians, the Hausa-Fulani "settlers" are mainly Moslems. Thus every little disagreement had a potential and indeed soon degenerated into a Moslem-Christian affair. From the economic angle, the locals were farmers while the Fulanis were nomadic herdsmen who allegedly grazed their cattle on farm lands leading to reprisal attacks from the farmers.

The politicization of the Jos predicament was probably due to the culture of division of political offices and the politics of "national cake", a system that neglects merit and creates a feeling of compulsory entitlement to certain positions by individuals or groups. It must be noted that this system also called zoning is not peculiar to Plateau and is responsible for needless political tension nationwide. The trouble with this kind of politics is that it discriminates some individuals as "non-indigenes" or "minorities" who must not be allowed equal political rights or privileges. In Plateau for instance, while the locals considered them settlers, the Hausa-Fulanis considered themselves indigenes of the state. The scramble for political offices which are sure access to perennial economic fortunes in Nigeria, took tribal and religious lines with each side fighting for the success of its own candidate. Often, allegations of rigging and other manipulations sparked off series of attacks and reprisals that saw places of worship and homes burnt with hundreds of people killed.

In its most recent cases of violence, the federal government has drafted a security outfit for the city of Jos. While military intervention has had its advantages, it has also had its challenges. There have been unconfirmed rumours about members of the task force taking sides in the conflict. It may help to state however that in a situation like the one in Jos where mercenaries put on army uniforms, it becomes difficult to say an army officer from someone who is not. A number of things must be understood about the Jos crisis. One such thing is that the level of sophistication and spontaneity expressed by the warring communities is not ordinary. Second, it must equally be understood that there have been great psychological instabilities and traumas inflicted on the survivors of the conflict. These individuals have had to live everyday with the reality of destroyed homes, businesses empires or even the slaughter of numerous family members. We read often of how entire families are wiped out and mass murders by dumping in wells, are committed.

To achieve a permanent solution to the Jos crisis, a number of steps must be taken. It must be realized by everyone however that sacrifices need be made to return peace to the city. This means bitter individuals rightly desiring revenge over some harm done them must be ready to forgo it in the interest of peace. The damage done to Jos and its inhabitants has already been done. People need realize that doing more harm will rather prolong the disgusting cycle of violence. It is obvious like in all conflict situations, that there are bitter, vengeful and malicious feelings of hate bottled up in individuals' minds. As long as these feelings are there, peace would be elusive. The conflict has come to a point where the fighters and victims can no longer help themselves. The federal government of Nigeria must therefore provide a platform for mothers who have lost their only sons to tell the nation how it feels; husbands who have lost their newly wedded wives; individuals who have lost every member of their families; parents whose daughters on NYSC duties have disappeared, and all victims of the Jos Annual Fighting Festival to express themselves, that the nation may hear their voices, see their tears and share their pain.

The Nigerian military must only be used to return orderliness to the city and create the secure environment needed for a Peace and Reconciliation Commission. The government of Nigeria must demonstrate a sincere commitment to providing an end to the crisis. It must grant an amnesty to all who denounce violence and turn in their arms. The security forces must carry out a house-to-house search for illegal arms and tighten control over illegal movement of weapons. A careful reconstruction of the city can then be undertaken and the issues of “settler-indigene” relationship be adequately resolved. Institutions must be strengthened and poverty and corruption be addressed to minimize total dependence on politics for a livelihood.

It may just suffice to state here that the trouble of internal insecurity in Jos and elsewhere in Nigeria is caused by too many idle minds. Individuals processed by the nation’s educational system soon realize they can not help themselves with their education. Since they lack ideas of their own, they depend solely on government for jobs which are not available. These individuals are idle and can do anyone’s bidding even at the mere empty promise of suya. It is their desperation that is exploited by mischievous leaders in the nation to cause havoc. Or is it imaginable that individuals gainfully employed in banks, the oil industry or other profitable ventures would leave their work to go and burn down churches and mosques? The same question can also be asked of Boko Haram. Are those planting bombs or actually carrying out suicide bombing gainfully employed? What do we know about them?

To conclude, the people of Jos must realize by themselves that they need peace. The contentious issues of “settlers” or “non-indigenes” of not already addressed by law must be done so urgently. The federal government of Nigeria must set up a Reconciliation Commission to allow victims of the crisis tell their stories. Security must be strengthened nationwide; poverty must be minimized and the process of governance be done much fairer. And at this trying moment of agony, the rest of Nigeria must stand together and share the anxiety and pain of their brothers and sisters in Jos.