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Tag: violence

  • Army, police vow to end Southern Kaduna violence

    Army, police vow to end Southern Kaduna violence

    Killings in southern part of Kaduna have in the last four weeks dominated national discourse. The matter has now attracted the attention of the Federal Government more than ever before. The zone now awaits two military formations and a mobile police base. ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE reports that with these developments, there is hope of an end to a bloody Southern Kaduna.

    The violence in Southern Kaduna has defied many applied solutions since after the 2011 post presidential election violence. Successive government made unsuccessful efforts to nip the crisis in the bud, but the Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai’s government seem to be succeeding in bringing the challenge to its new.

    Burnt houses, and destroyed properties litter the landscape of the region with its people traumatised having been rendered homeless and losing their loved ones.

    It would be recalled that Goska, a village of about five kilometres away from Kafanchan, headquarters of Jema’a local government area was attacked under a 24 hours curfew, by suspected Fulani herdsmen, leaving five people dead, many injured and houses razed.

    The state government had imposed curfew on the three local government areas of Jema’a, Kaura and Zangon Kataf to forestall break down of law and order. The curfew came a day after the convoy of the Governor was attacked by rampaging youths in Kafanchan.

    The good news is that, while the Fulani communities under the auspices of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, (MACBAN) have asked parties involved in the killings to forgive each other and stop reprisal attacks, Federal Government has concluded arrangements to establish two military formations and a mobile police base in Southern Kaduna.

    Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai during a two-hour chat with local radio reporters recently disclosed that plans are underway to establish two military formations in Southern parts of the state. Saying, his government has gotten assurances of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Ministry of Defence and Chief of Army Staff on the request to site the military formations.

    El-Rufai said, the proposed military formations will be sited in Fadan Karshi, in Sanga Local Government and Kauru Local Government Areas. “We are talking with the President, the Minister of defense and the Chief of Army Staff to site two military formations in Southern Kaduna; one in Fadan Karshi in Sanga and the second one in Kauru local government area. And I will meet the President on Thursday (yesterday) in continuation of the project.

    “The presence of these two military formations will help in securing lives and property and provide rapid response to any act of criminality and the maintenance of law and order. Two other military formations will be established in Birnin Gwari and Kubau local government areas.”

    “Security has been beefed up in the area as part of measures to stem the tide of violence in the region. Two squadrons of mobile police have been drafted to the area. In addition, more military personnel have also been deployed to tackle the rising insecurity in the region”, he said.

    El-Rufai explained that the rising insecurity in the region is also having adverse economic effect as investors who expressed readiness to invest in the region were already pooling out.

    Similarly, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris who was on tour of the troubled areas on Saturday announced that the Nigeria Police will establish a mobile police base in Kafanchan, saying; “from the discussion I had with Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, we have decided to station a mobile police base in Kafanchan. We are here to see things for ourselves so that we have a lasting peace in the whole area,” he said.

    The IG said a panel had been set up to investigate the crisis in the area thoroughly, including the allegation that 800 people were killed in the crisis.

    IGP Idris said some of the reports on Southern Kaduna were exaggerated, saying all the leaders of the villages have a lot to contribute to peace and unity of the area. “Some of the community leaders need to be cautioned. They are contributing to creating situation that does not exist,” he said.

    He said the police were committed to restoring lasting peace and later met with community leaders in the area.

    The Fulani communities on their part called on the warring parties to genuinely sheath their sword and sincerely embrace all the reconciliatory moves towards achieving peaceful and harmonious coexistence, saying without that, there may be no end to the killings and reprisal attacks.

    The National Assistant Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi who stated this as part of the solutions to the recurring killings and destruction of properties in the area said natives of the area embark on indiscriminate killings.

    ”We call on the entire people of southern Kaduna to forgive what has happened. Both parties should learn to forgive. This crisis will never end if you think you would go and revenge what happened to you , so we’re appealing to all parties to sheath their swords and embrace peace.

    “We want to also support the steps so far taken by the government of Kaduna State and all the security agencies in order to return normalcy to the area.

    “We call on leaders in particular, political, religious and otherwise to desist from making inflammatory speeches that could escalate the situation.  There should be no hate speech, those speeches that points towards religious sentiment or ethnic jingoism.  Let us all work for peace.  We inherited a peaceful southern Kaduna and I don’t think we are sensible if we bequeath to our children and grandchildren a southern Kaduna that is fighting itself.

    “We want to assure that we will continue to work with people of goodwill.  In southern Kaduna there are good people that are out for peace.  And I want to make it clear that there are Chiefdoms where you never, ever experience any clash because the traditional rulers there are out to promote peace.  Kagoro, Marwa is one of them even though some people mischievously leave from other places and come to Marwa and attack.

    “We are going to work with people of like minds  to ensure total reconciliation.”

    Dr Abdullahi said grazing reserve is the main reason for the violence, adding that “at the inception of this administration everybody is aware that the government formed a committee which I was priviledged to be a member and we went on tour of the entire part of southern kaduna.

    “We discussed with people from all shades of opinion, and wherever we go the issue of grazing reserves is tabled, the people on ground did not opposed the idea.  There is a place the traditional ruler said if there is no designated grazing area, he wants to volunteer his farm.

    “But no sooner than the report was handed over,  we heard some political leaders from that area and elected representatives of that area called a press conference saying that the entire people of southern Kaduna, including myself has rejected the idea of grazing reserve.

    “This committee went out to all nooks and crannies of the area, somebody decided because he has power called pressmen and tell them the southern Kaduna people are not willing to accept grazing reserve.  I think that is mischief. None of them has ever even gone to his constituency to consult with the people.  I don’t think somebody like Gen. Martin Luther Agwai will come and lie to the government that my people accepted grazing reserve  when he did not discuss it with them. That is unacceptable”, he said.

    While the security measures are being taken, there is need for the people of Southern Kaduna people, locals and the Fulani communities to come together and chart a new course for peace to reign in the region.

  • Rivers PDP: Abe responsible for violence

    Rivers PDP: Abe responsible for violence

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has urged security agencies to investigate the activities of Senator Magnus Abe (Rivers Southeast), saying he is fond of making unguarded statements.
    The party described the lawmaker as a security risk, whose activities should be checked.
    Its chairman, Felix Obuah, deallegd that Abe has instigated the lawmakers on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to invade the House of Assembly without taking the oath of office as demanded by law.
    He said the directive was unbecoming of a senator.
    Obuah said in a statement in Port-Harcourt, the state capital, by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam, that Abe was plotting evil.
    He alleged that the senator has been holding clandestine meetings to destabilise the state, urging the security agents to check him.
    He said Abe was fond of unsavory and disrespectful attacks on the government of Rivers State, adding that his statements were provocative.
    Obuah said the unguarded statements constituted a threat to the the peace and security of the state.
    He added: “Magnus Abe has been making threatening remarks and boasting, which are very worrisome and likely to destabilise the the state.
    “The PDP is worried at the way and manner Abe is talking and conducting himself as if he is now the governor and chief security officer of Rivers State.”
    Obuah recalled that some criminal gangs in the state refused to embrace amnesty, following attacks by Abe on the well-intended programme.
    The party chieftain said Abe has not recovered from the defeat of his party during the rerun.
    He said he was jolted out of his delution when the people reected the PDP in favour of the PDP.
    He urged security agencies to put the senator under surveillance, maintaining that his actions, if not checked, could lead to a breakdown of law and order.

  • Wike writes off police probe of Rivers poll violence

    Wike writes off police probe of Rivers poll violence

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has written off the police probe of the violence during the Rivers rerun legislative elections.

    He accused the police of being behind the killing and the violence saying they lack the moral authority to undertake a probe.

    Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris last week announced that the police would probe the pockets of violence during the elections in which a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and his orderly were beheaded, among other violent activities.

    But speaking at the Victory Thanksgiving Mass organised by the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) at Our Lady Chaplaincy of the Catholic Institute of West Africa, for “a successful rerun/supplementary elections,” Wike said:  “We are not a party to their so-called panel.  We have passed that stage and we cannot fall into the trap of a panel of inquiry. After killing our people, you want us to assist you unravel what? It is the police that killed our people.”

    “If it is a country that believes in its image, so many people  would have  lost their jobs. They cannot ask themselves  why 28,000 policemen, yet to be ascertained  number of soldiers, Police  Dogs and  Horses, gunboats and helicopters  could  not police  ordinary  legislative elections.

    “It is because the police were the ones committing the fraud, violence  and election  materials snatching.  We are accusing the police of mass murder and  they turn  around to set up  a panel  of  inquiry.

    “After killing our people, you fraudulently set a panel of inquiry.  Up till now they don’t know that we are far ahead. This panel is a mere booby trap to indict PDP Members.  If they cared about lives, they wouldn’t do what they did .

    “We are here to thank God for the victory he has given Rivers State.  We came out from a battle and God was our leader during the fight. We owe God a lot”, he said.

    In his sermon, Rev. Monsignor Pius Kii said the coalition of forces would l never defeat Rivers State.

    The thanksgiving service was attended by PDP leaders, Senators, House of Representatives members, House of Assembly members and Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairmen.

  • Why Rivers rerun was marred with violence, by Obuah

    Why Rivers rerun was marred with violence, by Obuah

    The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Felix Obuah, has attributed the violence that marred the recent rerun to the desperation of unpopular candidates to win.

    He described the state as the stronghold of the PDP, wondering why the All Progressives Congress (APC) was insensitive to the political reality.

    Obuah congratulated the PDP candidates who emerged victorious, urging them to fulfill their campaign promises to the people.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam, the chairman described the victory as the triumph of light over darkness.

    He said the defeat of the PDP,  especially in the Rivers Southeast and Rivers East senatorial districts, did not reflect the wishes of the people, adding that elections did not hold in the areas.

    Obuah said the victory of the PDP candidates underscored the party’s popularity and the belief of the people in its programmes.

    He said his prediction that many voters will reject the APC had come to pass.

    The chairman commended the  PDP followers for their courage, saying that they were resolute in their bid to vote for the candidates of their choice in the face of intimidation.

    Obuah described the rerun as the worst in the history Rivers State, pointing out that the report of some monitoring groups captured the impunity of the security agencies.

    He said the  Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Rivers State, the Army, Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were allof to the activities of suspected thugs.

    The chairman alleged that security agents took sides with political parties during the exercise in e Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency.

    He said the results purportedly declared in Rivers South East Senatorial District were false, stressing that voting in the area was characterised by hulaballoo.

    Obuah lamented that the INEC and security agents closed their eyes to the impunity.

    He recalled that, despite the assurance by the electoral commission and the police that a level-playing ground will be provided for the candidates, the officials demonstrated partisanship.

    Obuah said the PDP will challenge the outcome of the exercise in Khana, Gokana, Tai, Eleme and Oyigbo local government areas.

    He called for an investigation into the alleged partisanship of the INEC officials and security agents to prevent a reoccurence.

    He alleged that a particular high-ranking federal official  connived with the security agents to brutalisePDP members, hijack electoral materials and perpetuate violence.

    He said the criminal and shameful actions during the re-run  will not go unchallenged.

    Obuah called for the arrest and prosecution suspects in the orgy of violence.

    He said: “Those who conspired  in the hijack of INEC materials, killing, shooting and maiming of innocent Ogonis during the re-run should not go unpunished.

    “The arrest and prosecution of these men are necessary to save the future of the nascent democracy and also to serve as deterrent to others who think that the state is their personal property.”

  • Oyo Govt condemns Ibadan violence

    •Holds town hall meeting in Saki tomorrow

    The Oyo State government has condemned the invasion Kudeti and Isale Asaka areas of Ibadan by hoodlums. It vowed to use the full apparatus of government to deal with any individual who engages in violence that is inimical to the peace in the state.

    A statement by the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun said the government had directed relevant security agencies to deal with the hooligans, adding that such acts of thuggery and hooliganism would no longer be condoned.

    The government appealed to residents of the affected areas to remain calm and called on security agencies to increase their presence in the areas and other areas too, so as to foretsall a recurrence.

    “We assure our people that we value their well-being, lives and property, and we will, at all times, live up to expectations to provide security for them,” the statement said.

    Arulogun added that the government would beef up security during the yuletide.

    Also, in furtherance of its drive to engage the citizens on government programmes and activities, the government will hold another series of its town hall meeting tomorrow in Saki.

    According to Arulogun, the Saki town hall meeting is one in a series of such to be held. This, he said, is to allow a direct interaction and feedback from the citizens.

    “The meeting will serve as a platform for communication and engagement between the government, the governed and other key stakeholders,” he said.

    The meeting, to be conducted in Yoruba and English languages, will hold at the Harmony Gardens, Gedu Estate, Saki.

  • How to avert violence during rerun, by Wike

    How to avert violence during rerun, by Wike

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has said that the legislative rerun sheduled for tomorrow will not be marred by violence if the electoral commission conducts a free and fair poll.

    He alleged that there was an agenda against Rivers State, warning the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies against taking sides with any political party.

    Wike, who spoke in Port-Harcourt, the state capital, on the preparation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the poll, described Rivers as the stronghold of the ruling party.

    He said: “We are ready for the election. But, our complaint is that there is an arrangement by the INEC to allocate seats to an interested party. The APC cannot win any seat in Rivers State for now because there is no achievement by the Federal Government to use for campaign. What’s the percentage of the APC in Rivers?”

    Wike said the PDP has approached the people to vote for its candidates, based on the performance of his administration.

    The governor said the misuse of the security agencies and the recruitment of party chieftains as polling officers could lead to violence on poll day.

    He said it was wrong for the police command to attach security details to the All Progresssives Congress (APC) leaders without extending the same gesture to their PDP counterparts.

    Wike complained that he has been a target of victimisation, blackmail and propaganda by the opposition, ahead of the poll, without justification.

    The governor said he had written to the Inspector General of Police about the threat by some unnamed suspects to kill him.

    He described himself as a popular governor, saying: “If I work on the street, people will come out to cheer me. It gives me joy. People appreciate what we are doing. There is no part of the state that is not benefitting from our projects.”

    Wike maintained that violence can only be averted, if the laid down electoral rules are strictly adhered to by the electoral agency, security agencies and other stakeholders.

     

     

  • Bank chief, govt seek solutions to violence against women, children

    How can violence against women and children be addressed?

    It is through public participation and sustainable approaches, says Access Bank Plc Managing Director  Herbert Wigwe.

    Wigwe spoke on the sideline of a public programme held by the Financial Control and Strategy Group of Access Bank in partnership with the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT).

    The event tagged “it’s on you and I’’ to end violence against women and children, was attended by many dignitaries.

    Wigwe said curbing domestic violence was long overdue, adding that there was need for public participation to end it.

    He said: “In the country, there should be need to mobilise the public in providing viable solutions to addressing and ultimately resolving the wicked act.

    “We are happy to partner with DSVRT; together, we are ready to make this a common problem to ourselves. There is never ever a good reason for violence against women and children.

    “All women have fundamental rights to live and we must ensure that this right is established.

    “Most of these victims do not come forward, thinking their lives are in danger and in the case of sexual abuse, it is a stigma.

    “A woman is a mother, a daughter, a sister and a wife. She is active, emotional and devoted. She will nurture, fight for and she deserves nothing less from each and every one of us.

    “As we keep saying, it is on you and I to end and stop violence against women and children.”

    Wife of Lagos State Governor Mrs Bolanle Ambode, said it was the responsibility of everyone to end the act “as it remains a horrible and devastating issue in the society’’.

    “It is our responsibility to ensure we sustain public discourse on this issue of gender-based violence.

    “I, therefore, join all stakeholders and relevant agencies to ensure public awareness and sensitisation on this.

    “The law enforcement agencies must hold any offender accountable and protect victims so as to encourage others to speak out and break the conspiracy of silence,’’ Mrs Ambode said.

    The DSVRT Coordinator, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, urged more stakeholders to join in the fight against the act to protect girls and women from sexual and domestic violence.

  • Herdsmen warned against violence in Ogun

    National President of Meyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) Mohammed Kiruwa Zuru has warned herdsmen to desist from actions and conduct that could provoke ethnic crisis between them and farmers in Ogun State and other Southwest states.

    Zuru urged members to respect others and not engage in activities that could be injurious to the peace and harmony between them and farmers in Ogun State.

    The president gave this warning in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, on Saturday at a peace meeting between the association and the state All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) as part of measures to solve the incessant destruction of farm crops by grazing cattle.

    Fielding questions from reporters, Zuru said Nigeria needs peace and unity for real and sustainable development, lamenting that “criminals” use herdsmen as a cover to perpetrate crimes, ostensibly to create ethnic strife in the country.

    “Everybody has a role to play for peace to reign in Nigeria. We don’t want trouble with the Yoruba, we don’t want trouble in Nigeria. We should not give the enemy chance to cause trouble. I don’t want criminals to enter the crisis. Element of criminality have entered.

    AFAN State Chairman Olusegun Dasaolu warned that there could be ethnic violence if herdsmen continued to graze on farmlands unmindful of farmers’ crops.

    “The situation between his members and the cattle breeders is like sitting on a keg of gun powder, as all agreements reached had been flouted.

    “Daily, our farmers record losses as a result of cattle eating up their produce. But, when we got the assurance of the coming of the national president, we decided to calm down and await the step to be taken by the national body,” he said.

  • Inexcusable violence

    •It is high time federal and Kaduna state governments stanched the bloodshed in southern Kaduna

    The spate of violence in Southern Kaduna has brought to the front burner the contagion of death and destruction across the country. Recently, hordes of Fulani herdsmen attacked communities in Southern Kaduna and killed about 40 citizens with many homes destroyed in another chapter of sadism in contemporary Nigeria.

    The killings in Kaduna State were put in perspective by the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Dr. Samson Ayokunle, amidst representatives of 25 villages caught in the spasms of violence. The CAN president reported that 102 persons have been killed, 215 injured and about 50,000 homes burnt within six months by the band of bandits.

    The motives of the slaughter have generated controversy in the past week with the CAN president and the Kaduna State governor propounding contradictory notions. The CAN president calls it genocide, ethnic and religious cleansing. He said the Christian communities of Godogodo and Gidan Waya in the Jema’ah local government area are facing dangers of extinction and genocide. “Is this not Boko Haram in another colour?” he posed.

    In his reaction, Governor Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna State lashed back, saying that the wanton killings were motivated by mere criminality and banditry.  He linked the murders in his state to the attacks on the Fulanis of Zamfara State.

    Hear him: “The perpetrators of the attacks in both Southern Kaduna and Zamfara State are just criminals; their ethnicity and religion do not matter.” He said he had set up a committee to look into the killings and the findings of the General Martin Luther Agwai panel traced the rage to the 2011 post-elections killings of the Fulanis from Cameroon and Niger Republic.

    “It was a small problem that started in Ninte, Godogodo that could have been handled better by both Fulani and community elders,” he said.

    Two questions come out of this assertion from Governor El Rufai. One, there have not been records of arrest till date and the killers are still at large and lurking with menace. We need the culprits tried in public so we can ascertain their motives. Two, if the matter began in Southern Kaduna and it was a revenge action, why are they wreaking mayhem in relatively distant Zamfara and not even in northern or other parts of Kaduna? The use of the phrase, “Fulani and community elders” reflects a dodgy pose, avoiding specifying the “community” elders.

    The northern leaders as well as President Muhammadu Buhari have constantly blamed the killings on foreigners. This is an old song. If they come from outside the country, is it not high time the security forces came to the bottom of the matter? The civil society has not been as vulnerable as it has been in the past year, and we cannot survive on excuses and recriminations.

    Southern Kaduna citizens deserve peace, whether the mayhem is actuated by insular ideas or mere criminality. In the past half year, about 10,000 persons have been displaced and 30,000 hectares of land destroyed. Solomon Musa, the chairman of the Southern Kaduna People’s Union, said, “it has now become abundantly clear to even the worst sceptics that southern Kaduna has become a killing field, where genocide is taking place unabated.”

    Twenty-five villages constitute a vast territory, both in real estate and human activities. For a few blood hounds to hold it to ransom belittles our security apparatus, including our secret service.

    As Ayokunle noted, “this is a moment of truth. It is not of politics, religion or ethnicity.” And as Governor El Rufai urged: “Let’s fight the problem” without sentiments.

  • Violence: Kaduna adopts Plateau blueprint

    Violence: Kaduna adopts Plateau blueprint

    Faced with unending violence, Kaduna State has borrowed the peace strategy which helped to douse tensions in neighbouring Plateau State. ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE reports

    They have a lot in common: a shared border, variety of ethnic groups and a mix of Christian and Muslim populations. That is not all. Kaduna and Plateau states are also troubled by communal tensions which are often violent. Thankfully, Plateau seems to have figured out the path to peace, thanks to the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD), a conflict-resolution non-governmental organisation. Communities which intermittently hacked at one another are finding good reason to dwell together in peace.

    Kaduna, on the other hand, has not been that lucky, but that is not to say it has been a long stretch of darkness there. After the 2011 post-presidential election violence in which many lives were lost and worship centres and other property were destroyed, crisis broke out in parts of the state, especially in its southern parts. But since Governor Nasir el-Rufai came into office, there was quite a considerable spell of peace. It came as a result of interventions by a peace and reconciliation committee headed by Gen Martin Luther Agwai. The committee was said to have traced some aggrieved Fulani herdsmen connected to the violence to faraway Niger Republic, Chad and other neighbouring countries where the herders said they lost cattle and other things in the Kaduna crises. The committee pleaded with them to let bygone be bygone; in some cases compensations were paid for the sake of peace.

    It worked, but only for a year. Thereafter crisis erupted intermittently especially in Southern Kaduna. There were isolated killings though not just in the south but also in the north and central zones of the state, especially Birnin Gwari axis. Herdsmen and crop farmers blamed one another for the violence. Herders accused the growers of intolerance, while the farmers blamed the allocation of grazing reserves to herdsmen as cause of the violence.

    Now there is some good news. Representatives of 29 communities  in southern Kaduna have unveiled a Peace Apology Billboard in Samaru-Kataf, saying sorry to everyone affected by the violence. They hope the latest effort will end all hostilities.

    The community representatives were trained by the CHD, which helped to restore peace in Plateau. The Chairman of Plateau State Council of Chiefs, Gbong-Gwom Jos, Jacob Gyang Buba was at the unveiling of the peace billboard.

    He spoke passionately on the violence racking the two states and recommended the Plateau antidote. The traditional ruler relived the wonders of the CHD and its leading figure.

    He said, “Alice Nderitu and her team from Center for Humanitarian Dialogue came to me and gave me a brief of exactly what is happening here in Kaduna. And they appealed to me to come here so that we can talk to our brothers and sisters here about how to stay in peace.

    “They did this because like you all know we have had our serious challenges in Plateau State; challenges that are very distasteful. Lives were lost, communities torn apart. Up till today, there are some villages that are still vacant; the natives have not gone back to their villages but we want to thank God Almighty for the relative peace we are enjoying on the plateau. And we will want to thank Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue that came in to Plateau over three years ago.  They came to the palace and requested that we give them people from the communities to work with. Today I thank God for the relative peace we are enjoying.

    “The governor of Plateau, upon coming on to the seat of governance, immediately called the Berom community. I hope you all know that I am Berom anyway?  I know His Excellency, Governor Nasir el-Rufai knows, and he had serious discussions with us after which he called the Fulani communities and had serious discussions with them. Thereafter he called both the Berom and Fulani communities and had a discussion with them.

    “At the end of which he suggested that we get representatives of the Fulani and the Berom, and that government was going to put in place a committee to work with these groups so that they can dialogue and talk to themselves. He encouraged that nobody should shy away from the issues that are creating problems. And this team sat together and they came up with a very beautiful report that virtually tallied with the report that the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue had packaged with very serious recommendations.

    “It will interest you to know that in the Gazette for the selection of kings in Berom land, the head of Fulani is a king maker despite not being a historical indigene, but because we stayed together for so long that it was the wisdom of the elders to ensure that since we have stayed particularly with them, let them have a sense of belonging and that is why the ’Ardos’ (head of Fulani) participate as king makers in the selection of District Heads in the entirety of Berom land. I met it there and we are working with that. We will continue to work with that.

    “Having told you I am Berom, I am sure you will be wondering why is my name Buba? Buba is a Fulani name. But this is because my grandfather had a very intimate Fulani friend called Buba. So when they gave birth to my father, the Fulani man said this boy is my namesake and my father was named Buba. After that they never gave him any Berom name again and that is why I bear Buba. If at that time these old people could do this, why are we tearing ourselves apart? Why can’t we find common ground on which to rejoice in?

    “It is embarrassing to all of us seated here that a young lady from Kenya, Alice Nderitu, has gathered us here to talk peace. Look at us and look at her age. The passion with which she talks is so touching, that’s why I conceded to come. Governor Nasir el-Rufai is someone I have had privilege to work with. He was a minister in the Obasanjo regime while I was traversing the country chasing smugglers.”

    The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue boss, Alice Nderitu who is a Kenyan, said Nigeria as the leader of the black nation in the world ought to set the example for other African countries on peaceful co-existence.

    She suggested that, as part of efforts to restore peace in Southern Kaduna, churches, mosques and vehicles destroyed during previous crisis should be rebuilt, saying leaving them in their state of destruction leaves negative and devastating impressions on the minds of children growing up.

    In reaction to her request, el-Rufai donated N100 to support the rebuilding of damaged churches and mosques, saying, his government has drafted a bill to set up the Kaduna State Peace Commission in fulfillment of the promises he made in 2015.

    In a speech entitled ‘Apology, Forgiveness, Key to Peace’ the governor said the Commission will enable inclusion of all citizens on plans for peaceful co-existence of the peoples of the state.

    According to him, “In recognition of the vital importance of showing concrete manifestations of peace, the government has decided to support civic efforts to rebuild damaged churches and mosques with a seed fund of N100m. The challenge of achieving peace and justice is a complex process that requires imagination, wide consultations, technical support, research and time. I have promised you change. I will not be derailed from the legacy of peace that Southern Kaduna deserves from my generation.

    “This state belongs to everyone that has chosen to make it home. Let us respect each other, abide by the law, do our duty to uphold harmony and firmly reject division and violence! Today we are here to launch a Public Apology Billboard, as we grieve  over the lives sadly taken in the recent violence in the Godogodo chiefdom. Why, our children ask, are we able to discuss peace for decades but not find it on the ground?”