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| Muslims and Christians gathered together at Tudun Wada |
After over a week of tension in Jos following multiple bomb explosions which rocked the city, the Plateau State capital is painstakingly rebuilding itself. The military is at the centre of the people’s expectation to help restore a sincerely desired peace.
For 16-year-old Steven Zacks, who lives at Tudun Wada, a suburb in Jos where Muslims and Christians alike co-habit amidst suspicion, the presence of the military in his community remains the thin line between peace and chaos.
“Christians stay on one side while Muslims are staying on the other side (of the road). Then, in 2001 and 2008, we fought ourselves,” said Zacks.
“But this time, we did not fight. I can say that it is because of the soldiers there is peace, because if they go, anything can happen,” he added.
It was in line with its crisis management and conflict resolution strategy that the Special Task Force (STF) in Plateau State, headed by Hassan Umaru, a brigadier-general, on New Year’s day, visited several Jos communities, including Tudun Wada, Jenta Adamu, and Angwan Rukuba, which was a recipient of the Christmas eve bombings.
Mr. Umaru addressed community leaders and the youth on the need for tolerance if peace is to be restored to Jos. He said as ongoing reconciliation efforts were underway, the military would remain visible in all nooks and crannies as a necessary measure to forestall further violence.
“I want to assure every citizen of Jos and Plateau State of adequate security. We have men and materials to do our job effectively. We’ll remain on ground and move about in all areas, no matter what time,” said the one-star general.
Source: 234next
