Nigeria Content Online

The Plateau Police
Command and the Speacial Task Force (STF) deployed to secure the state
have threatened to clamp down on any group planning to carry out fresh
attacks in parts of Jos.

In separate
statements, the security agencies warned those planning to foment
trouble in the town to reconsider their actions in their own interest
or face the consequences.

“Those planning to
attack any part of Jos must desist from such thought or face the full
wrath of the law.” The Commissioner of Police, Abdulrahman Akano,
warned in a statement in Jos on Monday.

The News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN) reports that there have been rumours of plans by some
groups to carry out attacks on some designated places in the town.

The command said in
a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Apev Jacob, that it
had uncovered plans by some miscreants to disrupt the peace in the
metropolis.

It said there were
alleged plans by groups bent on carrying out reprisal attacks following
the skirmishes that occurred on February 15 in which Isuwa John, a
corporal, of the Anti-Bomb Squad was killed.

The statement
warned all groups in the state “not to personalise the incident which
is a big loss to the police,” describing those who murdered the
corporal as “criminals” who will be made to face the wrath of the law.

It urged the public
not to panic over the threat of “imminent attacks,” but go about their
normal businesses, promising that enough security personnel are on
ground to forestall any uprising.

The command said
the five persons arrested in connection with the incident were still in
its custody and helping the police in their investigation.

The STF Spokesman,
Charles Ekeocha, told NAN that the force had kept its personnel on
alert to contain any outbreak of violence in the metropolis or any part
of the state.

“For the avoidance
of doubt, you can see our men everywhere in the town to warn anyone
planning to foment trouble or attack innocent citizens not to try it.
“We are aware of the rumours of planned attacks and ready to deal with
any insurgence. The miscreants are warned to steer clear of any such
action,” he warned.

Solution to crises

Shedrack Best,
Special Adviser to the Plateau State governor on Peace-Building and
Conflict Management, said the solution to the crises in Jos rests with
the people of the state.

Speaking to
journalists on Monday in Jos, Mr Best said: “We all need to play our
respective parts for Jos to move from a city where security is managed
to one where peace is made and built. The mere presence of security
operatives in the state cannot bring peace. Whatever fire power they
may possess, nothing can be achieved without the cooperation of the
people.” He said.

Mr Best, a
professor of peace and conflict management, said that his office is
interested in using “dialogue and sustained communication” to achieve
lasting peace in the state.

“Peace making is
enemies talking to enemies. Over time, they will be able to understand
each other’s feelings, and reach a meeting point of compromise. Our
people must talk to one another,” he added. NAN