Vigilante groups take over security in Jos communities
In the face of persistent attacks, youth in different parts of
Jos have organised themselves into vigilante groups to take charge of security
in the areas where they live every night.
Different youth groups spoken to in Zaramaganda Hwolshe, Kadima,
Abattoir, Rikkos, and Angwan Rukuba say they have lost confidence in the
sincerity and commitment of the Task Force men to provide security and restore
peace.
At Angwan Rukuba on Thursday morning, one of the youth who
preferred anonymity said Wednesday’s arrest of five of the Task Force men in
connection with the overnight killings in parts of Riyom and Barkin Ladi has
lent credence to their fears, saying they have to intensify efforts to monitor
and track down strange faces that lurk in their midst and perpetuate havoc.
As early as 6pm every evening, movement within Jos becomes very
difficult as a result of road blocks mounted by these groups along the streets.
At Hwolshe and Kadima, as early as 6pm, the boys will mount a
heavy road block at Africana Junction which is the main entrance into Hwolshe
and Kadima and carry out thorough screening of vehicles, motor cycles, and all
people coming into the community.
A drive through Apata, Amigo Junction, Nasarawa, Filin Ball,
reveals that the practice is being replicated in the entire town of Jos, as an
atmosphere of fear, distrust, and suspicion persists since the bombings of
December 24, 2010.
Careful cyclists
As the group with the highest number of deaths during the
crisis, commercial motor cyclists no longer operate along every route as may be
dictated by business flow and passenger preference.
One cyclist who simply identified himself as Sani, said many of
their members are missing, ostensibly caught in the wrong place during the
cross fire and were killed. He said with that experience, Christian cyclists as
their Muslim counterparts now prefer to operate along routes that they perceive
not ‘dangerous’, and just have to make do with whatever earnings they can get
at the end of the day.
However, although banks and some other businesses remained
closed for the fourth day on Thursday, there was significant improvement in
traffic flow as many returned to their businesses as early as 7am.
At Ahmadu Bello Way, there was pressure on telecoms shops as
many customers and small scale dealers were making orders for recharge cards
and other accessories to return to business.
At the popular Terminus area, newspaper vendors were back, just
as the frontage of Mr Bigg’s was busy as dealers on second hand wears dared
with their stock from Katako Market to Terminus where customers abound.
Most shops of Ndigbo members were still under lock and key, as some of the
shops owners, were waiting agonisingly by the doors.
