Anthony Jellason, SSG Taraba state
Anthony Jellason, SSG Taraba state

Friday night became a sore evening when a friend sent me a leaked audio. I was displeased, troubled but resolved within me that we must not handle such a matter with levity or kid gloves but with respect and understanding we must correct perspectives and insinuations at this volatile season. 

As much as I am passionately committed to my faith. I am also committed to the process and promise of statehood and nation building.
It is also important to note and reflect that without a nation no religion thrives and we have seen great nations succeed with and without religious coloration.

To dispute the place and role of religions in Taraba is to live in denial and abuse the peaceful coexistence enjoyed in the state since its creation on 27th August 1993.

At this material time, restraint, deep reflection and the call for calm should be considered far more than anything else to sustain the peace and tranquility the state is beginning to experience on a widespread.

We have lost several lives, personal properties, and common wealth in the crises of Lau, Sardauna and Wukari that would have been avoided if we understand that together we have a common place for the expression of our culture, creed and religion when tolerance and equality are honored above all else.

Without taking sides, let me begin from the concluding part of the leaked audio that suggests that it was a pre-planned ambush against the government. Be it sponsored or not, it was indeed a juvenile fabrication to say the least.

If you take your time to listen keenly you will discover that she had a getaway Tricycle Operator (Keke Napep) waiting for her. He kept saying "shiga mu tafi", "shiga mu tafi gida..." . And when she finally boarded she said "Ka gan gusun uwarsa da na ci a office" and "Ka gan gusun uwarsa da na warware?". This simply infer that the whole episode of unpleasantness was stage managed.

Again, did you notice that the unfortunate leak failed to capture the beginning of the whole drama. At no point will you hear the voice of the SSG Anthony Jellason saying "he does not like Muslims". If she's that meticulous she should have recorded the call she claimed to have put across to the SSG earlier.

No sensible Christian would rejoice in the outcome of this charade and no peace loving Muslim should be provoked to fury in the pains that this amateur calculation to discredit functionaries had caused.

I herefore, call for calm and plead for the higher purpose of the greater good.

Good people of Taraba, Muslims and Christians alike for the sake of peace, let us avoid anything that will truncate the healing process of finding peace in our dear state and must resist the temptation to be gullible to what at this season of electioneering can be used as tools to disrupt our collective interests.

I am a Christian working with a Muslim Boss who has a Christian Boss and can attest that none of them see each other as second rated by reason of religion. Let LOVE lead. Let Peace reign.

I humbly call for calm and understanding.

Thank you
#Charima wrote it