Plateau: Groups Raise Alarm on Security
From Funmi Peter-Omale in Jos
Human Rights Groups in Plateau State have alerted security authorities to put measures in place to avoid a repeat of September 2001 ethno-religious carnage in Jos that claimed several thousands of lives.
The warning came against the background of inciting publication and documents that are being circulated in and around the state in the last few weeks.
Christian Foundation for Social Justice and Equity and the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) in a joint open letter to the Director of the State Security Service (SSS) noted that the 2001 crises in the state were preceded by acts and actions that are being witnessed in the state even in recent times.
"You will agree with us that there has been a steady circulation of incitive documents with religious and ethnic insinuations in the state of late."
The letter which was signed by Joseph Sangosanya and Steve Aluko-Daniel stated that the provocative documents could readily lead to a chain of reactions that could easily lead to a full break- down of law and order which had been a recurring decimal in the state since the September 2001 religious crises.
They charged authorities to thoroughly investigate and prosecute the authors/architects of the materials so as to serve as a deterrent to others.
Sources at the state Police Command informed THISDAY that men and officers of the command were already on the trail of those circulating the offensive materials.
According to them, though no arrests have been made, yet they are confident the police would be able to unravel the mysterious propagators.
The contents of some of the materials which were made available to THISDAY in Jos yesterday were quite offensive and highly inflammatory.
The material named some prominent Nigerians as the financiers of the recurring crises in Plateau State.
Some few days ago, the state administrator Major-General Chris Alli (rtd) in a broadcast to citizens of the state debunked rumours that militia insurgents were going to invade the state through neighbouring states.
Alli stated that the rumours were baseless and are aimed at truncating the peace initiatives of the state government.
Despite assurances from government and security agencies of preparedness to protect lives and property, citizens have remained apprehensive because instead of abating, inciting leaflets continue to flood the streets.
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