The 2001 Jos riots were riots involving Christians and Muslims in Jos, Nigeria, over the appointment of a Muslim politician, Alhaji Muktar Mohammed, as local coordinator of the federal poverty alleviation program. The clashes started on 7 September and lasted nearly two weeks, ending on 17 September.
CAUSES
Religious and ethnic conflicts have repeatedly occurred in Jos due to the city's geographical placement in Nigeria. Jos, the capital of Plateau State, is located in the middle of the country, which lies between the predominantly Muslim north and the predominantly Christian south. Jos was also known for its job opportunities leading people from around Nigeria to move there for employment. The influx of people led to tensions between members of "indigene" (indigenous) ethnic groups and non-indigene ethnic groups (often referred to as "settlers"). In June 2001 the federal government appointed a Hausa Muslim politician, Alhaji Muktar Mohammed, as local coordinator of the federal poverty alleviation program, leading indigene Christians to protest his appointment.
Tensions turned violent on 7 September 2001, when a Christian woman attempted to cross a barricaded street outside a mosque during Friday prayers. It led to a conflict between her and a group of Muslims. The fight eventually spread to other parts of the city.
RIOTS
Fighting spread through various Jos neighborhoods and to surrounding communities. Property and even human beings were set on fire. Many houses, shops, mosques and churches were burned or damaged. Torched cars were left along the streets after the clashes. Christian leaders reported that Muslims spontaneously attacked Christians and burned churches, including three churches of the Church of Christ in Nigeria (presently known as, 'Church of Christ in Nations' COCIN), the main Assemblies of God church, and a Jos Apostolic Church. The military was eventually deployed and stopped the violence. Local sources said the military's intervention and strict enforcement of the curfew helped end the clashes.
AFTERMATH
The 10 days of violence left approximately 1,000 dead. Because of the large number of people killed in the clashes, a mass burial had to be arranged. The riots caused the displacement of at least 50,000 civilians. The authorities arrested several hundred people and set up a commission of inquiry, which identified people who were allegedly involved in the violence, but no one was successfully prosecuted.
DRAWBACKS RECORDED
Looking at the history of Jos when it was regarded as one of the fast developing cosmopolitan business hub in Nigeria and West Africa due to the mixed cultural and religious settings in the capital city, hope was high that the cold city made up of many natural attractive tourism sites will one day stand tall in World map.
But since this sad event which took place on September 7th 2001, the state having even recovered from both the material and psychological damages caused to the city. Series of tragedies followed with Terminus Market Burning in 2002 by unknown persons as well as Twin Bomb blast in same market in 20 May 2014.
An unhealthy shift was ushered in, people live in fears and anxiety, trust broken between brothers due to religious and ethnic barriers, business hardly thrives, attacks in town to villages keeps reoccurring, farming activities dwindled, local and foreign tourists as well as investors got scared off leaving poverty, crime hatred and discrimination on the streets.
Even though amidst the challenges, Jos still remains a potential business and adminstrative town due to its comfortable weather, beautiful geography, food varieties and lovely people. Hopefully an upturn will soon lead to a new and better Jos.
Reference:
Wikipedia
Co-written by: Lagya Chindongnaan
08037358915
Compiled by: Alexander Pius
09038279461
josbusinesshub@gmail.com
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