J Town Artists Mourn The Death of Colleague - By Our Reporter

LATE KENNETH 

Upcoming artists in Jos have lamented the death of their colleague late Kenneth Achigak Joseph who was brutally murdered by suspected cultists. Speaking to African Drum recently, they also decried the way and manner crime rate is increasing in the city of Jos and environs. According to Markus Daniel, “the death of Kenneth is a big loss to us. He was such a promising young person full of potentials. I really don’t know why young people have taken to crime even to the point of killing. My prayer is that his soul rest in perfect peace with the Lord.” He called on the security operatives to rise up to the occasion. Another artist, Marvin Danladi described late Kenneth as a “complete gentleman. K wise was fondly called was a bunch of talent. As a matter of fact, he was to perform at Pankshin the following day when he got shot by these wicked blood sucking agents. May his soul rest in peace, but our security operatives must do something about this menace because it is getting too much. In his words, Luka Bala said “ Ilost a friend, I will miss his smiles. Plateau state and indeed Nigeria, have lost a talent.  , 

It would be recall that tragedy befell the family of late Achigak of Agingi Rukuba in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State in September 2016 when one of their sons, Kenneth Joseph Achigak was brutally murdered by suspected cultists along Rukuba Road, Jos.

According to an eyewitness, two young men wearing red attires walked up to Kenneth who was seated by the roadside playing computer game in his cell-phone and shot him at close range in his face, killing him instantly. The murderers then started shooting sporadically, ostensibly to scare away people. Indeed, they succeeded because in a twinkle of an eye they vanished into thin air.

The Police confirmed the incident, adding that investigation was ongoing, promising that the perpetrators of the heinous crime will be arrested to face the wrath of the law.

However, mother of the deceased, Mrs. Juliet Joseph Achigak advised the killers of her son to repent and give their lives to Jesus Christ to avoid eternal condemnation.

When African Dum visited her along Rukuba Road, she was calm and well-coordinated as she welcomed sympathizers. Speaking to our man, she said the death of her son came to her as a rude shock, but as a believer, she had to accept it that way because it is the Lord’s doing and He had admonished all believers to be thankful to Him in all situations.

“Nothing ever happens without God’s knowledge. He allowed Kenneth to be killed for a reason and that is perfect because He is a perfect God; and it will be out of place for us mortals to question God. Kenneth was an obedient child. He was a lover of peace and was at home with all our neighbours. So, those who killed him have declared war between them and Almighty God, not me.

“God just used me as a vessel. I am just a caretaker, but God owned Kenneth who is now with Him. My advice to the killers is to repent and give their lives to Christ; else they should prepare to face eternal condemnation.” 

Late Kenneth’s neighbours who also talked to African Drum described the deceased as humble, respectful and easygoing. He is said to be loved and admired by his neighbours for his humility. “I can’t believe Kenneth is dead. He was cut at his prime. We are really missing him in the field,” said one of the trainees late Kenneth was handling at Fanube Primary School football field. A graduate of the Plateau state Polytechnic, late Kenneth was into music and wanted to make it a profession.

Crime is gradually becoming a prominent issue in Plateau State in general and the city of Jos in particular as high rate of cases of murder, robbery, assault, rape and other crimes are reported almost on daily basis. According to our findings, most of those engaged in such heinous acts are young people between the ages of 19 and 30.

The vulnerability of young people to crime is said to be linked to inadequate child-rearing and poor youth socialization. According to an expert who wouldn’t want his name in print, “As a result of poverty, unstable living arrangements and being brought up with the inconsistent and uncaring parenting, young men are exposed to risk factors which enhance the chances that they will become involved in criminality and violence.”

According to another expert, we are in a precarious situation as our society is wrestling with how best to deal with the darker side of humanity as violence and criminality are seen by our youths as necessary and justified means of resolving issues.

He called on the government to be up and doing in formulating and implementing policies that have direct bearing on the youths; and for the judicial system to uphold cardinal qualities of honesty and uprightness in handling festering issues of corruption.

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