Extract of WHITE PAPER ON THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE RIOTS OF 12TH APRIL, 1994 IN JOS METROPOLIS
SEPTEMBER, 2004 - PART TWO (2)
3.2.0 The Jasawa Development Association
3.2.1 It appeared to us from evidence received that for many years, Jos had been and is subject to pressures and forces of ethnicity which work against its development, governability and stability. A problem of policing Jos metropolis may be attributed to the rise of Jasawa Development Association, which seems to attract recognisance by force, harassment and intimidation, a conduct which has logically eroded the legitimacy of its operation, thereby creating problems of policing. Hear what witnesses say:
3.2.2 Berom Elders Council (BEC) told the Commission that about 1991, “Federal Government created two Federal Constituencies in Jos Local Government Area. Jos metropolis, which is predominantly inhabited by settlers, was carved out as one constituency, while the rest of the Local Government was left as the other constituency. Because the traditional seat of our people is in the metropolis, this action purportedly alienated our traditional ruler from the majority of his people. Since then, we have continued to have provocative utterances from the Hausa-Fulani settlers to the effect that the Gbong Gwom should leave to Barakin-Ladi and vacate Jos for them”. BEC produced reported statement, credited to Alhaji Saleh Hassan, in which he urged Jasawa Youths Association to endeavour to recover the Jos traditional rulership, which dramatically slipped off the hands of their people in 1945. This is because the traditional title of Jos belongs to the Hausa and not other tribe. See Exh. 5.
3.2.3 Berom Educational and Cultural Organisation (BECO) stated that the Hausa-Fulani settlers grouped in an association called “Jasawa” an adulterated Hausa synonym for the Hausa-Fulani settlers in Jos, way back in 1987, pioneered by Saleh Hassan, urged the community in Jos to take over the rulership of Jos. Since their public pronouncement, and their activities have not only been provocative, inciting and a threat to peaceful co-existence, but have now imported the whirlwind culture of violence, which led to, the destructive riots of April 12th, 1994, they should be proscribed.
3.2.4 Jos North indigenes said, “...in contrast with our earlier protestations which were entirely peaceful and devoid of any lawless acts, the incidence of April 12th brought to the fore the true nature of the leadership of the Jasawa who took to the streets demanding that Mato must be reinstated....” The activities of the Jasawa and their patrons, as well as the riot of April 12th, which were clearly planned by them, suggest that it is unwise to allow them remain as a registered association. The rights and freedom of association must not be used by any section to deny other sections the requisite peace which is essential in fostering unity and development.
3.2.5
3.2.6 Du Elders Council stated before the Commission that, although the riot took place on April 12th, 1994, it was merely a product of accumulated tension, which had been mounting sequel to an attempt by a group of Hausa-Fulani settlers in Jos to exercise dominion over the indigenous tribes in Jos. This dates back to 1987 when one Alhaji Saleh Hassan, the pioneer and founder of a group tagged “Jasawa Youth Association, told Hausa settlers in Jos to wrest the rulership and ownership of Jos from the indigenous tribes in Jos, that Alhaji Saleh Hassan at the launching of Jasawa Youth Association Development Fund in 1987, told the Youth that the Jos rulership belonged to the Hausa and not any other tribe. They stated that the Commission that Alhaji Saleh Hassan’s statement was an incitement which generated tension and created unnecessary sentiment in the minds of the Hausa settlers, thus a seed of discord was sown.
3.2.7 In his evidence, Ezekiel Choji said that “Jasawa, the militant wing of the Haus-Fulani settler stock, organised and directed Almajirai and hooligans who went to town on a violent demonstration on Tuesday, 12th April, 1994, chanting Islamic war song, emptying garbages on the street, harassing pedestrians and motorists, destroying everything found on their way, burning tyres on the tarred road”.
3.2.8 Mr. G. G. Bot said “...it is of great interest to observe argument among non-traditional owners of Jos as regards claim of ownership. These challenges are believed to have been caused by those who do not wish Jos well by inciting trouble i.e the Hausa-Fulani slave settlers, the so-called “Jasawa.”
3.2.9 In the course of his evidence, one Joseph Azi Nyako stressed thus, “specifically, I am referring to the activities of the group which operates under the dubious umbrella of Jasawa.” He added, “it was common knowledge that the Jasawa contemplated a violent demonstration following the peaceful protest by the host communities. The hoodlums had a field day harassing motorists, littering streets with garbage and causing breach of the peace.”
3.2.10 The four Districts Action Committee described the composition of Jasawa Association as questionable because it belongs to only the Hausa settlers. They said it was led by Alhaji Saleh Hassan to foment trouble in Jos and to recover the Jos rulership.
Government View
Government notes.
Fulani community petitions ‘Operation Rainbow’ over armoured tanks
THISDAY, Written by Mahmud Lalo, Jos Friday, 19 August 2011 05:30
Jos Hausa/ Fulani socio cultural organization known as Jasawa Community Development Association (JCDA) has petitioned the Commandant of the Plateau state owned security outfit code named “Operation Rainbow” over the acquisition of armoured tanks provided by the State governor, Jonah Jang.
In the petition which was also copied to governor Jang, Speaker Plateau State Assembly, General Officer Commanding 3rd Div, Commander Special Task Force, Commissioner of Police as well as the State Security Service said the acquisition of armoured tanks by the state government for the outfit “lacks sincerity of purpose.”
According to the petition which was signed by the President of the Association, Alhaji Shehu Ibrahim Masallah “this community which has hitherto watched the formation of this outfit with keen interest, is now vindicated that from its design and intentions.
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