Jos, whose catch phrase was peace and tourism, has now become pieces and terrorism. Before coming to Nigeria, specificially Jos, I was determined to leave out of my blogs what I am actually doing here in order to save my readers from fear. But now actually being here in this place I have changed my mind to embrace full disclosure. I still pray no one who reads this worries about me, for fear has no place here. Reading CNN and all the top news reports instills a sense of the unknown, danger, and risk, but God specifically told me if I am willing to go into this dark place He will make it worth it. So with that, I will be doing at least one blog a day to fill you in on what I have been blessed with being a part of. Internet here is slow and infrequent, but I will post as often as possible. I have many pictures as well, but they will be added later due to internet speed.
Blog one on Jos will be giving you an overview on the conflict that is occurring here. Ethnic, religious, and political conflict has been taking place for years in this city. Jos is the perfect example of the 10-40 window where Christianity and Islam collide. This state is approximately 50-50.
The first major conflict occurred a few days before 9/11’s attack in America, but was quickly forgotten by the west due to the west’s internal interests. Major conflict occurred again in 2008 (the village of Anglo Jos was burned; specifically Christian homes, businesses, pastors home, and church) and was followed by the recent attacks in 2010. . The Fulani herdsmen (Muslims) and the indigenous Berom (Christian) have been at odds for many years. Major violence in January erupted around the entire city and reality of retaliation set in. On March 7th, a vast majority of the Christian village of Dogo Nahawa, was sent early to their graves. The villages of Zot and Rotzat were also attacked on this horrific night. Outsiders shot guns into the air to lure victims out of their homes. Villagers ran out and were trapped in nets and hacked to death by Muslim heardsmen in attacks with ethnic and religious overtones. Machetes were the main weapon used. Pastor Yohanna Gyang Jugu, of Church of Christ in Nigeria, sat outside his burned-down church, tears in his eyes.”We were sleeping and we heard gunshots all around,” he said. “I woke up and went outside. There was nowhere to pass. Fulani men had surrounded the village. They caught my wife and killer her, and my daughter. They were cutting people down with machetes.” Over 500 people died including 250 women and children. Almost all the homes were looted and burnt to the ground. 24-hour curfews were placed on the city and people were not allowed to leave their homes until the conflict subsided. Leaving the entire Plateau state on a 9pm-6am curfew where no one is allowed to leave their homes. A spirit of retaliation and vengeance was over the people. Peace was broken in Jos and the people spirits were severely wounded
Not only is there the recent violence but also political uncertainty along with an increased extremist terrorist sect (Jihad). Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation and has sub-Saharan Africa’s largest Muslim population. Nigeria is one of the world’s largest oil-producers. Mixing a money-making commodity with political instability and terrorist threats it leaves this nation on edge.
The conflict that is occurring here reminds me of the first family. The first two sons were Cain (who worked the soil) and Abel (who kept flocks). One was settled and one was nomadic. When the two crossed paths both thought the land belonged to them. Long story short Cain ended up killing his brother Abel. A deep root tore these two men apart. What God came to set people free from today people still hold onto as did Cain with Abel. When Cain killed Abel, God said, “Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.� God literally heard Abel’s cry. Abel’s blood cried out from the ground, just as the blood of Dogo Nahawa, Zot, and Rotzat did on March 7th. That cry however is not a cry of vengeance it is a cry of hope for a better day that we will never let this happen again.
