A Night of Horror in Jos: But Who Will Act?
The night of Sunday, in Jos, Plateau state capital, turned into a horror scene as more than 40 lives were lost in a series of attacks. The incident occurred in Angwa Rukuba Junction and surrounding areas, leaving a trail of death and destruction. By morning, the scene was one of utter despair as mothers identified lifeless bodies of their children.
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, arrived at the scene, but his presence could not ease the raw agony of the grieving relatives. The incident has been described as a "systemic failure of intelligence, of coordination, and ultimately, of leadership" by security experts. The attack highlights the deep cracks in Nigeria's security architecture, with intelligence failure being a major weakness.
Nigeria's intelligence system remains fragmented, with agencies reluctant to share information or synchronize efforts. This has led to a reactive attitude that arrives only after lives have been lost. The lack of coordination among security agencies, including the military, police, and Department of State Services, has also been identified as a major issue.
The Nigeria Police Force is overstretched and under-resourced, with officers being too few, poorly equipped, and often inadequately trained for the complex challenges they face. The state's rough terrain and scattered settlements provide cover and escape paths for attackers, making it an uneven contest for security forces.
