Jasawa Community Development Association, JCDA, the highest umbrella of Jos North Muslim community, has faulted a resolution of the Plateau State House of Assembly calling on citizens of the state to defend themselves.
The JCDA in a press statement on Tuesday signed by its Chairman Alhaji Shehu Ibrahim Masallah said that it is barbaric for the lawmakers to pass such a resolution at a time when embers of conflict and violence on the Plateau brew.
He said that such a call is in one way or the other encouraging people to acquire dangerous arms that would traditionally be inimical to the leapfrogging peace in the state.
“On the recent stand of the Plateau State House of Assembly, calling on citizens to ‘practically stand up to defend themselves,’ we see it as an outright deviation from their lawful legislative duties.
“The House infamous and unfortunate resolution is to us a clear instigation of people to possess dangerous weapons, thereby prompting the act of banditry, armed robbery, kidnappings and absolute anarchy in (a) state that is governed by rules of law,” the statement read in part.
Alhaji Masallah further condemned some federal lawmakers from Plateau State for their instigating comments on the recent security breaches in the state saying that it is the least expected of the lawmakers who naturally are supposed to be ambassadors of peace.
“The conduct of some federal lawmakers representing the state is yet another unfortunate scenario for the cooperate existence of all citizens in peace,” he said.
He applauded the giant contributions of security outfits in the state to tame the flames o violence in the state and for “their tireless efforts at seeing that calm and peace is restored in our communities.”
He called on those spreading calumny campaign against the GOC/ Commander Operation Safe Haven, Major-General Ibrahim Sallau Ali to shy away from doing that in the best interest of all.
“We note with sadness an unwritten rule in the psyche of some bigots in Plateau State of kicking against any Muslim sent by the Federal Government to head any federal establishment based in Plateau State.
“We have been keeping silence on this unwholesome attitude for long as part of our understanding that any citizen is capable of discharging his/her duties without fear or favour in line with their oath of office,” he said.
