Jane Hahn Photography

past work: nigeria: indigene or settler?

Between rolling green hills and flowing fresh water riverbeds lies the city of Jos, Nigeria, the bustling capital of Plateau state and the heart of what’s known as the Middle Belt of Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation. Jos is a high altitude retreat from the humid south and the arid north with its pleasant climate and highly fertile lands rich with minerals and green pastures. This historic city was a former economic center for many Nigerians and foreigners alike looking to invest in the richness of the land and growing industries. But, after decades of neglect and corrupt governance, Jos tumbled down a winding road of tribal and religious violence.  

Since 2001, thousands of lives in Plateau State have been lost. The crisis stems from growing poverty and over-population, lack of opportunity and corrupt governance and the ongoing battle over rich fertile land. Even though religion plays an important role in the Middle Belt if not all of Nigeria, those in power are using the people’s devotion to fuel the crisis in the long-standing battle for dominance.  

  • A man prays in a mosque destroyed by violence in Jos North, Plateau State, Nigeria
  • A home destroyed in the village of Ranuiank. Attackers entered the village late at night and killed six people, five women and one child and wounded three.
  • Ladi Weyi, 70, was attacked in her village, Ranuianku, by three men cutting her with a machete on her arm, shoulder and head as she was trying to protect her 10 year old grandson.
  • Women mine the mineral Columbite, in the village of Kuru Jantar, the site of major attacks in March of 2010
  • Men dry mined columbite at the site of Kuru Jantar's destroyed mosque.
  • A Fulani boy herds cows in Jos, South. Farming and grazing land in Jos is found in the south, a predominately Christian area. Many disputes erupt when herds destroy christian farm lands.
  • Children play in Jos North
  • Women pray in Jos' Central Mosque
  • Jummai Abubakar, 33 describes her attack before she relocated to Bauchi state after her home was destroyed.
  • Jos_Nigeria_13
  • Women mourn the loss of six villagers in Ranuiaku after an attack killed six people.
  • Bulus Tegwai, 7, was shot in the foot when trying to escape an attack on his village, Ranuiaku.
  • Jos North. Most of the informal settlements are found in the north part of the city. Jos North is inhabited by mainly Hausa and Fulani people who rarely see the benefits the rest of the city receives.
  • Plateau State
  • home
  • groundwater crisis (ongoing)
    • el salvador
    • lake chad basin
      • diffa, niger
      • chad
  • northern mali
    • MINUSMA: the UNs most dangerous mission
  • surviving boko haram (2012-2019)
  • niger: the repentant ones
  • vigilantes of nigeria
  • the emir of kano
  • dambe boxing
  • south sudan
    • malakal
  • central african republic
    • UN sex abuse
    • M'Poko IDP Camp
  • past work
    • ebola's legacy
    • ivory coast post election crisis
      • post election crisis
      • women's day violence
    • nigeria
      • lagos polo club
      • jos, nigeria
      • niger delta
    • gambia's migration
    • guinea's ebola crisis
    • outsourcing education
    • niger's food shortage
    • robertsport, liberia
  • singles
  • publications
  • client access
  • biography
  • contact

copyright Jane Hahn. Site design © 2010-2023 Neon Sky Creative Media