Jos crisis: Jang is naive - Army •Plateau gov declares 3-day fasting •NYSC approves redeployment of corps members in Plateau

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Written by Dare Adekanmbi and Isaac Shobayo

THE Nigerian Army has taken a swipe at the governor of Plateau State, Mr Jonah Jang, describing him as having “demonstrated embarrassing naivety in interpreting the dynamics of land operations.” Jang, had on Tuesday, accused the Army of complicity in the latest Jos crisis which has claimed hundreds of lives.



The army’s displeasure was contained in a statement signed by Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General A.C. Olukolade.

The statement said that the governor’s substantial military background should have guided him in commenting about the incident, adding that Jang should have “consulted sufficiently before making his inciting declaration.”

“That Governor Jang visited the Defence Headquarters today (yesterday) Wednesday, 10 March, 2010 clearly indicates that he knows the appropriate authority to consult in the event of dissatisfaction with the action of any army commander.

“Rather than follow this process, he resorted to inflammatory remarks targeted at rubbishing the army. His allegation insinuating bias is, indeed, unfortunate,” the statement read.

Olukolade said it was common knowledge that the internal security operation in Jos, Plateau State, was a joint operation involving the various services and the Nigeria Police, expressing displeasure at the singling out the army for blame.

“The governor may have his political or other intents to achieve, but he should desist from compounding issues, at least in the interest of the people, who are endangered by his proposition and disdain for the army in particular,” Olukolade added.

He absolved soldiers of any complicity in the crisis, adding that the army would continue to make input into the joint operations of the special task force as mandated by the Federal Government.

The Army spokesman said the preoccupation of the soldiers was to ensure that peace returned to the troubled state, charging all stakeholders to lend their support in achieving the objective.

While commiserating with the families of the casualties in the Jos skirmishes, the Nigerian Army said it was working in concert with the Defence Headquarters to guide the operations of the Joint Task Force in Plateau State.

Meanwhile, Governor Jang has called on the people of the state to undertake three days of fasting and prayers, following the latest bloodletting in the state. He asked them to fast from today till Saturday to pray and cry out to God for the forgiveness of sins and pray to Him to return peace to Plateau State and Nigeria.

The governor, who made the call in a broadcast to the people of the state, on Wednesday, charged them to pause and ask themselves what had happened to the peace and brotherliness synonymous with the state.

He implored the people of the state to have respect for one another, irrespective of any affiliation, adding that without peace, no meaningful development could take place in the state.

“We must not allow this to continue. Violence cannot be used as a way of solving conflicts. We must all respect each other, irrespective of any affiliations. The responsibility of achieving peace is a collective one. Therefore, all hands must be on deck for us to achieve this goal,” he said.

Governor Jang warned all those contemplating any reprisal attack or vengeance to desist from such because the acting president and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, had, since, put the security agencies on red alert to deal with any further breach of the peace.

He warned rumour mongers to stop their nefarious activities and other acts that had generated anxiety among the people and implored residents to be vigilant and pass any useful information to the security agencies for verification.

The governor directed all local government chairmen and traditional rulers to hold regular meetings in their domains so as to promote harmony.

Jang said the government would establish information desks, where information could immediately be passed to security agencies and encouraged communities to watch strangers in their midst and report suspicious behaviour to relevant authorities.

“The challenge before us all now is how to move forward as a people and put this sad episode behind us. It is time to forgive and allow peace to reign. We must sheathe our swords and embrace harmonious coexistence,” he said.

The governor implored all security men and women to demonstrate high professional standards and ethics in the course of their duty on the Plateau and show themselves as men and women of honour and integrity.

Meanwhile, the Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Brigadier-General Ismaila Tsiga, has said any corps member in Plateau State seeking re-deployment would be granted if the crisis in the state persisted.

The Director-General said this when he visited the NYSC camp in Plateau State, on Wednesday, while he assured the corps members that none of them would be posted to rural areas.

“Your security in the camp is guaranteed. Soldiers will be deployed here to stay with you in the camp for 24 hours a day, but you must not leave the camp if you are not authorised to do so. Security is a collective responsibility,” he said.

General Tsiga said period of registration had been extended for those posted to Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states because of the latest Jos crisis, adding that there was the possibility that they might experience delay as a result of the upheaval.

“By this courage you have demonstrated by coming to Jos in the face of this crisis, you have thrown the challenge to us in authority, to your families, to government and, indeed, to all Nigerians, to ensure that you are not disappointed.

“And we are going to live up to it. It shows that you really believe in the unity of Nigeria,” Tsiga said.

He gave his phone number to the corps members and told them to call him in the event of any trouble.

jang is a cockroach, and you know what we do to cockcroaches dont you?

THIS MAN PLATOON 18 WETIN BE UR OWNSELF,

U WAN TURN US ALL TO ALMAJIRIS?

GO 2 LIBERIA.



Vote Niger-Delta

@Platoon 18, or whatever you name is. If do not know the full story please save your vulgar comments. Your naivety is even worse than that of the army PRO Brig. Olukolo or whatever his name is.

when has prayer and fasting equalled justice?
will p and f atone for the innocent lives cut short?
too weird the way some people reasons.

the army must defend her own

Kx:

when has prayer and fasting equalled justice?
will p and f atone for the innocent lives cut short?
too weird the way some people reasons.

Religion is a form of mental slavery and mental backwardness.

Let's assume this happened in a western world, do you see them declaring a 3 days of fasting etc? Jeez. We suck sometimes.

jimmysho:

the army must defend her own

The army cannot defend itself from mend, or have their men train properly on how to be civil with non-military people. So asking the army to defend her own most likely wont happen for now.

my dear Elraz,
what happen, its been long that ve read ur highly skilled contribution on the forum?

ElRazur:

The army cannot defend itself from mend, or have their men train properly on how to be civil with non-military people. So asking the army to defend her own most likely wont happen for now.

i do not mean defending them in term of arms usage rather any action taken because it is assumed that all decisions are taken collectively so far it is coming from the right source

The stu.pid drama continues!

See useless Nigerian Army calling someone naive. If it's to go burn down an entire village, plunder and kill civilians (e.g. Odi), dem go get plenty energy, but to defend innocent women and children, these zombies consistently show their uselessness.

RichyBlacK:

The stu.pid drama continues!

See useless Nigerian Army calling someone naive. If it's to go burn down an entire village, plunder and kill civilians (e.g. Odi), dem go get plenty energy, but to defend innocent women and children, these zombies consistently show their uselessness.

you should know that it was intended that the villagers die without help and the assailants have filled day without hindrances

jimmysho:

my dear Elraz,
what happen, its been long that ve read your highly skilled contribution on the forum?
i do not mean defending them in term of arms usage rather any action taken because it is assumed that all decisions are taken collectively so far it is coming from the right source

Hi to you too. I am here these days.

Oh yeah, I get your point now.