SOUTHERN KADUNA CRISIS: FIGHTING COMMUNITIES SIGN PEACE PACT

Two communities in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Saturday signed a peace agreement as part of efforts to bring an end to the wanton destruction of lives and property in the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the communities involved are Dangoma and Takau in Kannikon and Zipak chiefdoms, respectively.

Speaking at the event held in Kafanchan, Mr Peter Averik, chairman of the local government, said that the peace deal was brokered following a series of dialogue between the two communities.

“We met and deliberated successfully on the way forward and, thankfully, the two communities resolved to sheath their swords and give peace a chance.

“This is a milestone for us, and we want to use this opportunity to let the world know that we want peace and we are for peace,” he added.

He said that the peace pact was informed by the attacks of July 24 in Zikpak which left several people dead while many houses were burnt.

“Findings revealed that the incident resulted from a misunderstanding between the two communities.

“There was an attack in Zipak, and we tried to get to the root of the matter and found that there was a misunderstanding between Dangoma and Takau.

“That misunderstanding may have led to the attacks, and so we decided to bring the two communities together to try and iron out the issues,

“They have agreed that all issues be resolved through the appropriate channels.

“They have also pledged to be their brother’s keeper and protect each other’s property in the event of any eventuality or unforeseen circumstances,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has called on religious leaders to end the killings in the Southern part of the state.

According to him, their reckless statements is at the root of the crisis.

El-Rufai stated this on Saturday, when the National Chairman of Jama’atul Izalatul Bid’ah wa Iqamatul Sunnah, Sheikh Abdullahi Lau and other Izala leaders paid him a visit.

The Governor noted that the Izala leaders came to be briefed on the security situation in Kaduna and that “they received briefings from the Commissioner of Internal Security as well as the Deputy Governor.”

He said, “We also solicited their support and prayers to see the end of this crisis, because we are of the strong view that at the bottom of this crisis are the reckless statements of some religious leaders.

“If religious leaders decide firmly that people should live in peace and preach that consistently, it will lead to peaceful coexistence in our state.”

El-Rufai also said that the root of the crisis in southern Kaduna “lies in differences in religion and ethnicity.”