BY TAYE OBATERU, HAUWA BALA & EJURA ADAMA
Jos- The Civil Society Coalition in Plateau State yesterday asked government to go beyond rhetorics in addressing the Jos crisis which it said has been worsening, warning that it could create instability in the country.

Addressing newsmen on the deteriorating security situation in the state, the coalition said the constant refrain of government officials to be “on top of the situation” has not achieved anything and required a change of strategy.

Acting Coordinator of the coalition, Dr. Tor Iorapuu who spoke on their behalf, described the deteriorating security situation evident in bombings and other acts of terror as “visible signs of lack of concrete results in the numerous interventions.”

According to the coalition, “it has become increasingly worrisome to the coalition that for a decade now the massacre on the Plateau has not been brought under control in spite of innumerable promises made by duty-bearers.

“Instead, the blame game has characterized their responses to this hydra-headed problem. This attitude of government has grave implications. The persistent attacks on innocent poor communities and the most recent wave of hate and killings expressed by a group of uncontrollable youth in the state underscore the implications.”

It condemned the attitude of governments at the federal and state levels to the crisis and the elitist approach to addressing the problem, calling for a new approach that would involve more collaboration with civil society groups.

Meanwhile, Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State had appealed to the people to shun the culture of violence and embrace dialogue for resolving their differences.

In a broadcast to the people yesterday, he called for an end to the “senseless bloodbath” and an eye for an eye which he said brings no good.

Jang regretted that the state “has moved from minor skirmishes to riots in the 1990s, to crisis and recent terrorist attacks that appear very much like an act of war which makes no distinction between military and civilians, including women, children and the elderly. This is indeed a new reign of terror arising from religious extremism that perverts the peaceful teachings of Christianity and Islam.”

He said government would intensify the campaign for peace through dialogue and other platforms towards promoting understanding and peaceful resolution of difference and urged citizens to be dedicated to genuine reconciliation which he said should start from the heart.