Vicious circle of violence will continue reoccurring and continue to hold Nigeria to ransom as long as government at all levels makes its findings surreptitiously without making it public.
Government can only quench the fire of the activities of ethnic militia in the country by sending strong message to those found wanting in any communal clashes.
It wasn’t the first time, innocent travelers were unjustly waylaid along Jos road, but unfortunate events of Saturday, 24 August 2021 along Rukuba Road Jos, plateau state which resulted in the massacre of about 33 innocent, defenceless travelers heading to Ondo State is strongly condemned and unacceptable.
Someone might wonder, why massacre of innocent people continue resurfacing in the country and Jos plateau in particular, despite all effort by government at all levels.
Government refusals on several occasions to make its finding known and bring perpetrators to justice is one of the reasons we are in this unfortunate position.
The only lasting solution that judiciary will set is to shun all forms of primordial sentiments and send this ethnic militia to gallows, whoever partake in killing innocent people, their sponsors and sympathisers should be dealt with according to law of the land.
In the case of Rukuba killings, certain criminals were seen apprehended who were allegedly involved in the nefarious activities that unjustly lead to loss of lives. There’s urgent need of proper action by the concerned authorities.
Police command in plateau, where the unfortunate and destructive loss of innocent lives took place said “the ambushing and gruesome murder of innocent people profiled as Muslims and the wounded of many was carried out by Irigwe youths”. On several occasions, such ugly scenario has been repeatedly happening without the public knowing what’s the outcome of police investigation. Are these “hoodlums” covered by some kind of law?
It’s widely known that plateau has been among the state affected by inter religious rivalry between the two dominated faith in the country. That’s Muslims and Christians. Which in normal circumstances are expected to be a perfect example of living in peace and harmony.
Nigerians have heard enough of investigations at the end of which the outcome remain unexplained to the dismay of both the victims and their families.
The gruesome murder of general Alkali remained fresh in our memories, yet, the result is still undisclosed. It’s only when perpetrators are publicly paying the price of their actions that served as deterrent to others who have similar intentions.
Government at all level must assure Nigerians that the security agencies would go to any length to ensure that they fish out criminals and miscreants no matter their connections or religious background and must be made to face the law of the land. That’s the only solution that guarantee peace in the country.
Tajuddeen Ahmad Tijjani writes from Azare, Bauchi State.
