Why Government Must Address Recurrence Religious Crisis In Plateau State -By Sani Abdullahi

Plateau state has become a volatile state in the North central part of Nigeria due to recurrence of ethno-religious and tribal crisis that frazzle the peace for long period of time. Plateau is known for its heterogeneity, there are about 40 ethnic groups include; Vergam, Ankwei, Angas, Jarawa, Birom, and Eggen etc. The crisis between tribes, farmers-herders are very common in the state, the frequency of this conflict is what metamorphose Plateau to be a volatile area in Nigeria. The current state governor in person of Simon Bako Lalong has perform wonderfully in maintaining peace and order in the state nonetheless hoodlums continue the wreak havoc in the state which makes most of the people to stay away from the city. One of the unique nature of the inhabitant of the city is that they are hostile towards visitors, we have seen this on different occasion when they attacked the base of the settlers from other state of the federation and other countries within West African sub-region. In October, 2018, a retired army General, Alkali was announced missing by defense headquarter, later on his car was found in a pond in Berom area. After thorough investigation, his body was also found in a shallow grave in the outskirt of the city. The trends continued to date. Just last week, Irigwe a tribe in the Plateau state attack innocent Tijjaniyya adherents on their way back to home from their annual Zikhir, most of the victims happened to be Fulani residing in Ondo state.

The attack on these innocent people nearly break the peace enjoy by some neighboring state of Plateau state. The story drew the intention of so many scholars and prominent people in the country. Most of them castigated the efforts of government for its inability to provide a permanent peace in the state.

Why government must do everything possible within the ambit of law to provide a permanent solution to this recurrent crisis. Nigerians have seen how different innocent people lost their lives in the Bauchi-Jos axis at different occasion yet the government has done nothing to appease the people, for example the assassins of the late General Alkali were arrested since then we heard nothing about it, were culprit prosecuted for the crime they committed? Are they still in the police custody? Nobody knows exactly what happens to them. Since the crimes was known to all and sundry therefore the trial should also be known to all so that lesson will be learnt by people which will eventually paved way for a lasting solution in the state. The facts that we’re good in pardoning criminals but we are incubating more rather eliminating them.

Dialogue and mutual understanding are the only way out from our myriad ethno-religious crisis in Nigeria, government must champion the course of dialogue in the state. Religious and cultural differences will not a basis for conflict among us. As a responsible government that is interesting in the well-being of its citizen should do everything possible to address the risen security threat in the country. The challenges are numerous to mention and are threatening our corporate existence as a nation.