At least 50 more people have been reported killed: traders passing through Jos who were massacred and the luxury bus in which they were travelling burnt down, women and children strangled in their homes, young men on their way to a wedding who were waylaid and murdered, law-abiding and some lawless people shot by soldiers supposedly on a peace mission.

Items of property set afire remain incalculable. Only yesterday, three people were reportedly killed during the ongoing voter registration. Horrible news of attacks and reprisal attacks - that has been the state of Plateau.

It is a great irony that the number plates of most vehicles plying the streets in Plateau State still have the inscription "Home of Peace & Tourism". The once peaceful state has become a theatre of war.



The continued wasting of the blood of innocent men, women and children in that state suggests that a major surgery is required to prevent further bloodshed. No responsible government permits the loss of people's lives for the sake of politics or ego satisfaction.

One more killing will be too many in Jos! And because desperate times require desperate measures, it is incumbent on the nation's No. 1 security officer to declare a state of emergency in Plateau State immediately. Whether it is politically expedient for him in an election year or not, President Goodluck Jonathan has this urgent task to execute.



Clearly, Governor Jonah Jang has proved incapable of stemming the tide of insecurity in the state. The Special Task Force (STF) composed of armed soldiers deployed in the state has also failed in its mission. Just as a section of the state has lost faith in Governor Jang, another section has lost confidence in the STF. If the president declares a state of emergency, both Jang and the JTF will have to give way.

Neutral leaders would then be appointed to run the affairs of the state until peace is restored. Although a state of emergency appears to be an extreme measure, the events that culminated in the imposition of a state of emergency on the state in 2004 pale by comparison.


Violence has been begetting violence in Plateau State simply because no one has been brought to justice, and the authorities, especially the governors, have become a part of the problem. In spite of the recommendations of several panels of inquiry, criminals still walk freely, unencumbered by the law.

President Jonathan, like some former leaders, did promise to expose the culprits of the Jos violence. He has not redeemed that pledge. Nor has the state's No. 1 security officer, Governor Jang, who also promised to bring the perpetrators of violence to book.

A soft landing for Governor Jang would be for him to resign honourably. He has already won his party's ticket for a second term, but how can free and fair elections hold in an insecure state such as his? Would elections not provoke further violence in a state where there is mistrust and great animosity?

The improbability of conducting free and fair elections in most parts of the state and the likelihood that passions may be further inflamed as the elections draw near are enough reasons for a state of emergency now.

Is shoot at sight the best option GEJ? simply declare a state of emergency to show your seriousness in handling the Jos crisis.

there are good reasons why he should think carefully before declaring a state of emergency.

1 - there  is no guarantee it will deter the hard core perpetrators
2 - a state of emergency suggests a loss of executive control
3 - the attacks in Jos can be replicated easily in some other northern states, in which case, vast swathes of the country would come under emergency rule
4 - emergency rule will test the constitution & may create more instability than it stops
5- how long will emergency rule last : 1, 3, 6 months, one year?
6 - what happens to elections?

I can go on.

Am not suggesting that emergency  rule should be ruled out, but it should not be rushed into either.

then let that fuckar jang resign w.i.e

every 1 wants peace.people do not want to leave in fear, bomb killing at night women and children are the 1 ce that suffer the more.
DECLARE A STATE OF EMERGENCY in Jos and let there be peace even though its for 3 months straight,cant people let the state of peace and tourism be,

They use to fight in Kaduna but now no 1 fights dear ,how did dey do it ?
its obvious Jang cant handle d fire in his house , the house and people in it need firm grife ,dey need people to tell them what to do when to sit and move and kill any 1 that doesnt listen ,

JAy town had peace plz letz bring back the peace no matter how we do it we should try all the options.

then let that fuckar jang resign w.i.e

Jang is not the cause of the problem therefore Jang will not resign. Those who caused theproblems are in high places and theyknow themselves.

No state of emergency will be imposed in Plateau State because that will spell victory for the Hausa/Fulani, the trouble makers.

It is unfortunate that the rest of Plateau State are seeing the crises as Berom affair instead of coming together and deciding the fate of those namas.

Spell victory for the Hausa /Fulani, why do u think they would be happy plz xplain
people are dying instead of tinking of sovling problems we are tinking of vistory of funani, u disgust me.
dis pleateau people tink back wards dats y u have fulanis disturbing u and instead of sorting help u tink of wat ur enermy wld tink as victory,

^^^ The Hausa/Fulanis see in Jang a hard nut to crack because he has refused to be bribed or intimidated to declare Jos North a Hausa/Fulani LGA. They are shouting declare a state of emergency so that a stooge/weakling can be brought in and then bought over to actualise their dream. Who is a fool?