From Julius B. Kezi, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Barnabas Bala Bantex, has blamed recurrence of communal clashes in the state on evil desires of some community stakeholders.
The deputy governor bore his mind during a reconciliation meeting between farmers and herdsmen organized by Community Peace Partnership (CPP) in collaboration with Jema’a Local Government council held in Kafanchan.
Bala Bantex regretted that some self-seeking individuals have found insecurity as gold mine and trade in it at the detriment of their people.
He warned people not to take undue advantage of communal clashes as an investment opportunity for personal aggrandizement.
The deputy governor advised people to be conscious of perpetrators of such violence and desist from giving them the support and cooperation they need to foment such troubles.
In a remark, Chairman, Jema’a Interim Council, Dr Bege Katukah, said the meeting was convened to discuss the differences between the farmers and the herdsmen in Ninte village that prompted the unending violence.
The chairman said fostering peace and unity among the affected communities was a task that must be carried out with every sense of seriousness.
Also, Chief of Godogodo, Mal. Iliya Ajiya Antang, challenged the warring parties to bury their hatchets and consider the path of peace in the interest of development.
Similarly, the Kpop Gwong, Mr. Paul Zakkah Wyom warned the parties concerned to desist from reprisals as they were the bane of peace in the village.
The royal father told them to forgive each other and reconcile themselves to one another to promote mutual trust and understanding they were known with.
NSPRP Outpost Officer on Security and Governance, Mr. Bash Owasiko, said conflict dynamics is so fluid and that stakeholders should dialogue with the fear of God, patriotism and the desire to tell the truth so as to find lasting solution. He said the meeting was not to apportion blame but to discuss with opened mind, explain the causes of the clashes and proffer solutions for amicable settlement.
Mrs. Eunice Peter, CPP Vice Chairman, Jema’a chapter, on behalf of women appealed to men and youth involved in the crisis to end the violence as the most vulnerable that suffer the consequences are women and children, who are forced into widowhood, orphanage, begging and prostitution.
Mediation consultant for NSRP from the University of Jos, Dr. M.A. Kwaja, advised stakeholders for farmers and herdsmen to provide names of those representing them in the dialogue, which should include youth and women. He advised local and state government to legislate against sales of illicit drugs and substances as well as encourage community policing without militarizing the conflict.
Representatives of communities testified to the meeting varying views that caused the clashes and Ninte that later spread to other surrounding villages.
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