Eyewitness Reports: “Sunday’s Events in Jos Were Not Ethnoreligious”

Despite knowing Jos’s volatile areas, Sunday’s events lacked an ethno-religious undertone, even though they involved a particular group.

— Newsroom

After the church service and speeches, the #EndBadGovernance protesters in Jos – including Christians and Muslims with their leaders – began marching towards the Plateau State Polytechnic, Jos Campus, initially aiming to make a turn at the National Library Junction. 

This eyewitness was already en route to capture the scene from the pedestrian bridge when she encountered a group of young men discussing plans to distribute Russian flags near the ex-Mr Biggs building. They dispersed and drove away, only to reappear minutes later with the flags, chanting ‘Up Russia!’ One protester claimed to have denounced his Nigerian citizenship, seeking Russian intervention and citing Putin as his inspiration.

The End Bad Governance protesters, led by Prophet Isa El-Buba, probably saw the flags from a distance and shortened their procession, warning against the display of Russian flags or anything that does not reflect the mind of the protest and threatening to hand over offenders to the police. Additionally, the demonstration abruptly ended, but the group of flag bearers returned with reinforcements, took photos around the Old Airport junction, and headed towards the city centre under heavy security.

Although mostly Muslims, it’s important to note that these Russian flagbearers were different from the ones that have been attending and engaging in interfaith solidarity at the #EndBadGovernance protest since Aug. 1. 

Some of them resisted attempts by mostly Almajiri children to vandalise property, such as flowers in front of NTA and a fuel traffic sign next to the NNPC mega station at the Secretariat Bridge. This group continued their demonstration some on bikes, amidst heavy security presence. 

In Bauchi Road, pockets of demonstrations have occurred since the protest began at Old Airport last Thursday. Some individuals attempted to stop vehicles but were thwarted. 

Despite knowing Jos’s volatile areas, Sunday’s events lacked an ethno-religious undertone, even though they involved a particular group. Christians don’t own shops in the affected areas, and the issue seems to stem from intoxication with the moment’s euphoria. 

Misinformation and polarisation have contributed to the city’s distrust, with people easily profiling each other. The viral photos of Muslims praying at the protest sparked discomfort, with some describing it as ‘eye service.’ It’s essential to recognise the complexities of this situation and avoid simplifying it along ethnic or religious lines.

Now, since the Russian and other foreign flags have been seen across the country, the authorities need to find answers and immediate solutions to this issue that threatens the sovereignty of our nation.