Group Charges Kaduna Government, Communities To End Violence

Government and communities in Kaduna state, especially those in Godogodo Chiefdom have been called upon to end violence crippling resources, wellbeing and development of the state.
A Non-Governmental Organization, Community Peace Partnerships Jema’a chapter. made the call on Saturday while commemorating the United Nation (UN) International Peace and non-Violence Day, an event celebrated every October 1, annually.
In a statement read and presented to newsmen in Kafanchan, CPP said since the May 26, 2016 clash between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Ninte Godogodo Chiefdom, the crisis has spread to eight villages, displaced over 5000 families, claimed the lives of over 40 people, while several others sustained various degree of injuries with over 203 houses, cows and crops worth millions of naira destroyed.
The statement read by CPP, Coordinator Alhaji Iliyasu Musa and signed by three others observed with concern that Fulani herdsmen and farmers have lived and intermarried for over five decades without grazing routes being an issue, the crisis, stressing that if the violent is not nipped in the buds, it would degenerate into a religious conflict that may engulf southern Kaduna and the entire state.
Calling on government to take proactive security measures and the Fulani and farming communities to sheath their swords and thread the path of peace, using platform provided by CPPs and supported by Development Peace Initiative (DPI) Kaduna and Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP), to dialogue; CPP lamented lack of strong and responsive security within neighbouring communities
The statement noted that citizens are yet to imbibe the culture of security being every ones responsibility , thereby taking collective measures to unmask the unknown gunmen, cattle rustlers, conflict entrepreneurs who have taken advantage of the crisis to perpetrate their evil.
It also observed with grave concern the proliferation of arms and weapons, which government should beef up internal security and legislate against it to checkmate incessant killings of innocent citizens, stressing that if nothing is done, this may lead to mistrust and lack of confidence in the authority, whose primary role is to protect lives and properties.
Another area of CPP concern was the emergence of Gausiya Islamic Sect in Zaria, whose mode of practice is in tandem with that of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (Shittes).
The statement called on the public and government to collectively look at the trend and operation of the new sect to avoid the repeat of the clash between the Shiites and the military, which took place in Zaria.
In its passionate appeals, CPP called on people of Godogodo Chiefdom, Kaduna State and the entire country to take advantage of the positive side of conflict to deepen cordial relationships for the sustenance of peaceful co-existence, unity, survival, prosperity of Kaduna State and Nigeria, as there is no alternative to peace. CPP urged government to review laws to curb proliferation of arms and weapons, deployment of adequate security personnel in all border communities, and domestication of Nigeria Drug Law enforcement Agency(NDLEA) Taskforce on drugs in wards and local Government Areas.
The statement also called for the establishment of active and functional community policing and quick implementation of the Gen. Martin Luther Agwai’s Peace and Reconciliation Committee report. It also recommended the provision of basic social amenities, poverty eradication, quality education and medical service and adequate civil service welfare, as lack of them trigger conflict and violence.
Noting that peace is divine and is freedom, which comes from within and not without, CPP called on traditional and religious leaders, parents and the school to lead teach and instruct their people and students on how to treat life with dignity, respect laws of the country and shun violence.
It equally called on the youth and women, the bedrock of every society to strive for sound morals, education, skills acquisition, the fear of God and use of dialogue to resolve conflict amicably.
They were also called upon to shun consumption of illicit drugs/substances and rumor paddling for the wellbeing and progress of the country.