By Ikwunne Precious Chinasa
Nigerians from different walks of life have expressed outrage over what they describe as government inaction in the face of recurring violence and destruction in Plateau State, leaving the poor to bear the brunt of displacement and homelessness. Many lamented that despite Nigeria’s already staggering housing deficit running into millions, the burning of houses in crisis-prone areas continues to swell the numbers of those without shelter.
Dr. Malachy Ojukoba, a building materials trader at Ile-Oba in Lagos, condemned the burning of more than 30 houses and the displacement of over 300 people. He argued that the lack of government responsiveness only deepens the suffering of victims, who are often among the most vulnerable in society.
“Nigerian governments do not have a maintenance culture. After a building is burnt, the occupants — usually the lower class of society — are left to suffer the trauma,” Ojukoba said.
He added that poor crisis management by the authorities is pushing more citizens towards desperation.
“I think the way and manner the government manages public menace increases the temptation to go into crime just to survive and escape the lower cadre of society. It has become clear that if you want to make it in a clean way, the attitude of government and its agencies will always push you towards crime. How can you allow those who made it through crime to maltreat you and reduce you to second-class citizens in your own country? It is unacceptable,” he fumed.
The latest incident in Plateau occurred in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area (LGA), where gunmen attacks left over 300 people displaced and at least 30 houses destroyed. Although no lives were lost, the attacks wreaked havoc on farmers, with barns and farmlands destroyed.
Eyewitnesses linked the attacks to reprisals following the killing of four herders and the injury of one in Fili village, Doemak District, about a week earlier. Herders said the victims had been attacked while grazing their animals.
Confirming the recent attacks, the spokesman of Qua’an Pan LG Council, Danaan Cletus Sylvanus, said the council chairman, Christopher Manship, had visited the affected communities. Sylvanus listed Nteng, Doop, Zhep Morop, Gyeergu, Kelaghan, Loon, Kwakii, and Gorom in Doemak District as among the hardest hit.
According to him, Manship convened a stakeholders’ meeting and appealed for calm and vigilance.
“The Executive Chairman of Qua’an Pan Local Government Area, Christopher Manship, lamented the attacks and urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, and development associations to join hands with him in finding a permanent solution. The chairman has mobilized security agencies to the affected areas to ensure the situation is brought under control. We are working tirelessly to restore peace and normalcy to the communities,” Sylvanus said in a statement.
He further disclosed that the chairman had met with religious and traditional leaders to emphasize the need for peaceful coexistence, regardless of ethnic or religious differences. Security personnel have since been deployed to restore order in the affected areas.
