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Located within an otherwise quiet area of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, the settlement popularly known as Congo-Russia has developed a troubling reputation for drug abuse, prostitution, cheap sex, gambling and violence, with many youths reportedly becoming caught up in the activities.

From the outside, the streets of Congo-Russia may appear ordinary and peaceful, but a closer look, particularly at night, reveals a harsher reality that can be difficult for outsiders to navigate.

While some residents continue to use its original name, Chwelnyap, Congo-Russia is widely regarded as a community where residents depend heavily on resilience and instinct to cope with the realities of daily life.

Underneath its surface, the neighbourhood brings together people from different backgrounds who are connected by the difficult realities of urban street life. Drug use and sexual activities are reportedly widespread among some youths, while conflicts have also emerged through ethno-religious crises, robbery and street attacks.

The community’s troubled history of violence, combined with the constant struggle for survival associated with inner-city life, has contributed to its notoriety in Jos.

The situation has become so concerning that security operatives are reportedly reluctant to enter the settlement to carry out arrests.

The illegal drug trade has also become deeply established in the community and is said to be one of the factors bringing some of its youths together.

Another issue contributing to Congo-Russia’s reputation as one of Jos’ major black spots is the presence of the Sara Suka gang.

The notorious criminal group, which consists largely of youths, has established a strong presence in Congo-Russia and has reportedly been involved in activities such as violent street attacks, assault, extortion, armed robbery, drug abuse, political thuggery and murder within the community and neighbouring areas.

The gang is believed to primarily recruit young males between 14 and 30 years old, although reports indicate that its recruitment activities over the past five years have increasingly extended to girls and women in an attempt to strengthen its influence across the area.

Available records indicate that Sara Suka initially emerged as a political support group linked to some influential politicians in Plateau State before its activities spread to other northern states, including Bauchi, Kaduna and Niger.

An elderly resident of Congo-Russia, Agwom Izang, who spoke to our correspondent about the gang’s emergence, said:

“The Sara Suka gang has been a big menace to us here in Congo-Russia and environs like Angwan Rogo. They operate as if they are the owners of the community.

“They openly wield dangerous weapons like guns, machetes, double-edged blades, swords and axes, and rob people in broad daylight. Once they decide to go on the rampage, they are unstoppable, and even security operatives dread confronting them.

“They terrorize residents and passersby and are generally known for violent clashes and attacks on innocent community members, sometimes leading to serious injuries and deaths.”

Despite the prevalence of open drug dealing, addiction, prostitution, street gangs and violence in Congo-Russia, different efforts have been made over the years to rehabilitate vulnerable youths, although such interventions have achieved limited success.

The various social vices appear to have become deeply entrenched in the community, making efforts to control them increasingly difficult.

The environment has also exerted a strong influence on young people and, over time, appears to have crossed ethnic and religious boundaries despite interventions by religious organisations, NGOs and other advocates seeking to reverse the trend.

Christian and Muslim organisations have, on several occasions, jointly organised seminars and symposiums aimed at engaging youths in the community.

However, such initiatives have yielded limited results, with the various social problems continuing to expand rather than decline.

A youth leader, Pam Titus, described the situation in Congo-Russia:

“This is one of the most vulnerable communities in Jos. Many youths smoke Indian hemp, and there is the issue of child prostitution. The girls, even some married women, are into prostitution, while some boys are into stealing and armed robbery.

“The security personnel are not helping matters. They are compromised. These drugs don’t fall from the sky; they pass through our major roads.”

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