Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
Following the post-election crisis that has rocked parts of Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, Gov Darius Ishaku and residents of the city on Friday sued for peace as the curfew imposed on the town due to the post-election violence entered the fifth day.
At a press conference addressed by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Simon Dogari, Ishaku alleged that the main opposition party in the state was responsible for the crisis that erupted in parts or the state capital and urged it to emulate the candidate of the United Development Party UDP, Sen Aisha Jumai Alhassan who had accepted defeat and adjudged the election free, fair and credible.
He commended the people of the state for not giving in to the unprovoked attacks that could have led to the escalation of the crisis and returned to embrace peace as it is the prerequisite for any meaningful development.
“There have been several attacks on innocent and defenceless people in Jalingo by miscreants hired and armed by those who lost the elections, with the intention of creating tension and anarchy to give a wrong impression about the election. We thank God that the larger section of the populace refused to yield to this temptation.
“Peace is the bedrock on which every positive human endeavour can thrive. We must therefore, embrace peace so that government can play its role of developing the state for the greater glory of the people.
“I urge the youths not to yield to the temptation of today’s elders to use you to destroy the future that belongs to you with immense possibilities.
“We thank God for the return of normalcy in the state right now. Let us work hard to maintain and sustain this pace of peace.”
Our correspondent who went round some of the flashpoints such as Angwan NTA, Angwan Kassa, Nya Bukaka, Water Board and Main Market areas reveals that many people vacated the areas while others were still living in fears despite the curfew.
The residents commended the state government over the curfew which currently runs between 6 am and 4 pm daily.
Malam Yakubu Yusuf, a resident of Water Board area, one of the troubled spots in the city said, although the curfew had caused a lot of inconveniences to the people, it was necessary to prevent further destruction in the town.
Yusuf called on the people of the state to eschew violence and live harmoniously with one another for development to strive.
Also, Rev Yakubu Nagombe of Nya Bukaka area, who sustained injuries in the head during the post-election violence, appealed to other victims of the crisis to forgive one another for peace to reign.
While commending Gov Darius Ishaku for imposing the curfew and treating the injured, Nagombe called on traditional and religious leaders in the affected areas to support the governor’s efforts by calling their people to order.
Also baring his mind on the issue, Malam Ali Bala of Angwan NTA, said more security was needed to curb the violence in the area.
Bala explained that some of the gunshots at night that send panic waves to the residents were mostly warning shots from security operatives for the enforcement of the curfew.
Meanwhile, normalcy to a large extent has returned to the city but the atmosphere, but there is still an uneasy calm.