By: Bomba Dauda
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State, Mr. Samuel Aruwan has appealed for peace amongst the people of Moro’a, Atakad and Fulani in Kaura Local Government Area of the state. Aruwan made the appeal at a meeting with leaderships of the ethnic groups at the local government Secretariat.
“I came here with pains,” Aruwan espoused. Adding, “following the unfortunate killings and counter killings of 29th and 30th of March 2020 between Atakad and Fulani communities in Zangang, Adu and other locations in Kaura Local Government Area.
“The Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs under my leadership, is in receipt of the correspondence between Moro’a Traditional Council and Kaura Local Government Area dated 31st March, 2020, and also the appeal for the setting up of a permanent security base in Zangang by the Afan Takad Chiefdom on the 3rd April 2020, as well as the appeal for government’s intervention by the Fulani community.”
He further stated that, While we are reviewing your appeal, the spate of violence between the Atakad and Fulani communities has generated a lot of concern in view of the endless bloodshed and the inhumanity we are working day and night to conquer with little or no success.
Even before the latest set of killings, the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs has been working with security agencies, especially Operation Safe Haven, the Police, the National Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services and the Nigerian Air Force, for the establishment of physical security assets to ensure stability in the area.
In the area of peace building, the Kaduna State Peace Commission has worked tirelessly with the Plateau Peace Building Agency, coordinating efforts with the Agwam A’Fan Takad and the Attah Aten of Ganawuri in Plateau State. We have also seen overlapping efforts between Kaura Local Government in Kaduna State and Riyom Local Government in Plateau State.
However, in the light of the events of the past week, the Government is gravely concerned, and the Governor has directed that this Peace, Security and Dialogue meeting be held and sincere resolutions made as part of the roadmap to peace and tranquility.
Aruwan reiterated to the various leaders that no matter the measures government put in place “The bulk of the responsibility for preserving peace lies with you as leaders.
“We must be sincere and honest as leaders. We must look within for a solution, and not from outside. We must put conflict entrepreneurs out of business. We must put to shame those who rejoice in bloodletting and use bloodshed as a means of creating capital to grandstand for self-glorification. We must strive to call evil by its name and know that evil has no boundaries. If we don’t work together and tackle this menace, we will bequeath nothing but a legacy of disaccord and mistrust for those coming behind.
“Why are beneficiaries of togetherness and integration now agents of disintegration and bloodshed?
“This is why we have come to you today to appeal to you in the name of God, to uphold peace.
“Between the leaders involved, the Fulani and the Atakad, if there was ever a time for dialogue, it is now. As traditional leaders, you are the gatekeepers of society, and you must complement the efforts of Government. When you speak, your people listen. Our objective is peace, mutual respect, understanding and coexistence. Therefore, we are imploring you to send out these messages strongly to your communities.
“We have to put out the flames of revenge and reprisal by urging our people to embrace empathy, reconciliation and justice. The cycle of bloodshed, death and destruction must stop. All our religions preache peace and brotherhood. For instance at this time, all over the world, Coronavirus is a threat to our humanity. The fight against it is from all angles, transcending race, status, color, creed and continen c CCt.
“Crucially, I call on all the leaders of the Atakad and Fulani communities, to root out the culprits in their midst and not give refuge to killers. Their actions are criminal, and justice must be allowed to take its course. We must assist security agencies and the government with information and extend unlimited cooperation for the overall security of these communities.
“We also appeal to members of this community to be law abiding and avoid resorting to self-help. All parties in a conflict must recourse grievances to the Government and security agencies as the only path to justice and amicable resolutions. It is time for us to desist from all forms of ethnic vendettas. The position of Kaduna State Government since 2015 remain the same. Communities must avoid recourse to self-help. If Fulani while grazing come under attack, they must not take the laws in to their hands but rather they must recourse to the law and government. The same goes for the Atakad; if in the course of farming and other activities they come under attack, they must recourse to the law and not take the laws in to their hands.”
