Jos Crisis: STF in the eyes of the storm

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Written by Isaac Shobayo Thursday, 10 February 2011

[Women protesting on the streets of Jos]

Women protesting on the streets of Jos
THOSE in position of authorities in the country have used different security approaches and measures to curb the raging hostilities in Jos, Plateau State without any headway. Rather than abating, the unfortunate development has continued to escalate in a frightening dimension. The pattern of killings is brutal in nature and can be likened to what is obtainable in the jungle.

Since the creation of the Special Task Force otherwise known as STF, to arrest the crisis rocking the state, the operations of the STF have been shrouded in controversy. Opinions about the outfit also differ among the people of the state, especially between the natives and the Hausa/Fulani involved in the hostilities.

Nigerians have advanced various solutions to the impasse on the plateau, some of which are the implementation of the past reports of judicial commission, of inquiry with the aim of bringing those behind the dastardly act to book to serve as a deterrent to others who may want to foment problem. But the implementation of the reports seems to be an uphill task for the government.

The common allegation against the operations of the STF since its deployment to arrest the pathetic situation is that of partisanship. There were instances where the natives in particular had complained that most of the assailants carrying out attacks on them were always in military uniform. Some alleged that the attacks were sometime carried out in full glare of the security men or close to their security posts without any immediate response but only to surface and arrest victims of such attacks afterwards.

But the Hausa/ Fulani are also accusing the police of similar allegation, alleging that the police are aiding the killings of their kinsmen and, therefore, want them to step aside for the military to be in full control.

Apart from the sentiment being expressed in certain quarters, the way men of the Task Force handled the recent rampage by the students of University of Jos during which 14 students were shot has also made some individuals and organizations to question the operation of the Task Force. Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) University of Jos, Chapter recently at a press conference frowned at the way men of the STF handled the students protest.

The Chapter Chairman, Dr. Timothy Namo said the public confidence in the Special Task Force deployed to Plateau State has been eroded due to perception of partiality, ineffectiveness and unprofessional conducts, as shown, for example, in the recent cases involving the shooting of students of the University in their hostel.

Namo charged the Federal Government to develop an effective policy for the engagement of the military for internal security that will ensure the accountability, effectiveness, impartiality and overall professionalism by the military personnel.

Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) at different forums has also called for the total withdrawal of the Task Force. Recently, it’s state Chairman, Reverend Philip Dafes strongly condemned the way and manner the STF has been handling the security operations in the state, saying that the men have further aggravated the pathetic situation instead of ameliorating it and therefore, called for their withdrawal.

The Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), Bauchi, Benue, Plateau, Gombe and Nasarawa States branch on the debilitating experiences of the business community arising from the incessant Jos crisis said it appears that security and law enforcement agencies are stretched beyond their ability to cope with, or halt the negative descent, let alone effect the arrest and speedy prosecution of the miscreants and their sponsor.

But the STF Commander, Brigadier-General Hassan Umaru has dismissed the allegation of partisanship against his men with a wave of hand, saying his men are upright in the discharge of their duty, adding further that only those who run foul of the operation are not being spared. He said his men were trying their best and that those complaints cannot force the Task Force to withdraw saying, that it was only the Federal Government which put up the Task Force in place that can wind up its operations.

[Defence Minister, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode]

Defence Minister, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode
Contrary to the position of those calling for the withdrawal of the STF, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association recently condemned the call for the withdrawal saying that withdrawal of STF posed a serious danger to the state and Nigeria as a whole adding that it was an invitation to anarchy.

Apart from pockets of protests by women in the past one year against the operations of the STF in the state, what could be tagged as massive protest took place on Monday, as over 20, 000 women within the state capital took the city by the storm and paralysed business activities and also hindered vehicular movement for close to four hours due to their number.

They condemned the continuous presence of the Military Special Task Force in the city and threatened to withdraw their support for President Goodluck Jonathan if the soldiers are not withdrawn from the streets of Jos.

They walked through Yakubu Gowon way, D B Zang way, and terminated the protest at Jitshe Government House where they were addressed by Governor Jonah Jang along with some of the state top government functionary.

Some of the placards carried by the women were with various inscriptions condemning activities of the STF, some of which read: “STF park your load and leave Plateau, stop killing us, go after the real trouble makers.”

At a point they were shouting no vote for President Goodluck Jonathan in the coming presidential election if the Military men remain on the streets of Jos before the election.

The governor, Chief Jonah Jang and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Istifanus Mwansat and other top government functionaries who came out to address the women were surprised to see the multitude of women who defied the security situation of Jos to lodge their protest against the STF.

In spite of the condemnation, Governor Jang who saluted the courage of the women tried to change the perception of the women about the military operations saying that not all soldiers were bad. “Not all soldiers are bad; in every setting, there are bad eggs, there are lot of professional soldiers willing to carry out their assignment without any sentiment and so don’t see them as enemies as such” he said.

Governor Jang enjoined them to be calm adding that President Goodluck Jonathan, in conjunction with the state government is leaving no stone un-turned to find lasting solution to the crisis.

Four days after the women protest, another group under the aegis of Muslim women in Jos also staged a peaceful demonstration to condemn the raging hostilities in Jos and its environs. They sought for Mr. President's intervention to arrest the persistent impasse, which they said had claimed the lives of many and turned others to orphans and widows. Contrary to the position of Plateau women, they advocated for continuous stay of the STF to oversee security situation in the state.

[Gov Jonah Jang]

Gov Jonah Jang
While natives and others are calling on the Federal Government to send STF parking , the Hausa/Fulani community in Jos are also calling for the declaration of a state of emergency. Before the pronouncement of President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday which foreclosed the possibility of declaring a state of emergency, there was jubilation in some predominantly Hausa/Fulani settlements within the state capital on Monday that an emergency rule had been declared on citing the movement of soldiers to the state capital.

From all indications, it is glaring that while the natives and others want the STF to withdraw completely based on alleged unprofessional practices, the Hausa/Fulani on the other side of the divide want imposition of a state of emergency.

Saturday Tribune learnt that as a result of the persistent protest and complains by women in the state and couple with the image of the military which is at stake over complains in certain quarters on its operation, the military on Monday sent another 870 soldiers to the state and withdrew those on ground.

While addressing the 870 soldiers posted to the state at Gen. Hassan Katsine Polo Ground in Jos, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. General Onyeabor Azubuike Ihejerika warned them that the military would not tolerate any form of religious and ethnic bias in carrying out their assignment and charged them to strictly observe the rules of engagement and principle of internal security.

“The job you are doing here is very important to the survival of Nigeria and this is why the government is determining to provide all the support you required. Many more vehicles are coming to make your patrol more effective. I would not tolerate any form of religious bias or ethnic bias in carrying out your job. I am sure all these have been emphasized during your orientation training” he warned.