Why is Nigeria Still Incapable of Averting Religious and Ethnic Conflicts?
Posted by AT on March 31, 2010
Africa Today 50
Why is Nigeria still incapable of averting religious and ethnic conflicts?
Broadcasting date: 30 March 2010
Presenter: Vuyiswa
Guests:
Femi Okutubo, Publisher / Editor-in-Chief, The Trumpet Newspaper
Mohammed Umar, Writer
part1
Description:
About 200 people have been arrested and 49 charged with murder after massacres at three Christian villages at the weekend, police in Nigeria said recently.
part2
The announcement came as more details emerged of the violent outburst in the central Plateau state whose capital, Jos, lies at the faultline between the country’s Muslim north and Christian south.
Up to 500 people were killed — estimates of the number of victims differ — and scores more have fled their homes since the attacks by Muslim gangs on the villages of Dogo Nahawa, Zot and Ratsat.
Survivors told how mobs armed with machetes were waiting for them as they fled their burning homes. The attackers asked people “who are you?” in Fulani, a language used mostly by Muslims, and killed those who did not respond in that language. Women and children bore the brunt of the three-hour killing spree in the early hours of Sunday.
part3
About 500 lives were reported to have perished in the second string of attacks since January in Jos. Jos the capital city of central Plateau state in Nigeria lies at the faultline between the country’s Muslim north and Christian south.
Authorities believe the attacks on three Christian villages in the city were an act of retribution carried out by members of the Muslim Fulani community.
SOUNDBITE: (English) David Keng, eye witness: (part overlaid by previous shot) “We heard gunshots, then we had some phone calls from the people in this area. By the time we were nearby, we heard the sound of the guns.”
Ikechukwu Aduba, police commissioner: “We have requested for reinforcements and have been reassured by the special general that reinforcement is on its way.” After ignoring earlier warnings, the security forces have arrested about 200 people and charged 49 with murders.
The recent clashes in Jos are a very familiar problem in Nigeria. Some 2000 people have been killed in the conflict since 2001. The fighting is mainly religiously motivated between the Muslim North and Christian south. With many blaming the situation on the political wrangling at the top, How will Nigeria be able to change the pattern of power struggle and abuse? A problem that has existed for most of its 50 years of independence.
Sa'eed said
It’s imperative to allowed justice to prevail in all aspect of life (Jos Crisis inclusive)not become vias.
If what had happen in Jos and it outskirts is declared by christians as trying to Islamide Jos, you as foreign media dont just brodcating the propaganda it might be incusitive,it’s expedient to have details on what had happen from the backwoods dwellers to balance the story and cool the tempered of crisis, and call the stakeholders to overcome it.
At the tails end you may wish to now that when ever you brodcast such side its fuelling the crisis, and its only the masses in both parties avail the significance or conequences.
best wishes
Sa’eed M. Dederi (Kano State )