Southern Kaduna Attacks: We must apply Dialogue, Genuine Reconciliation – LG Chairmen

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By; AMOS MATHEW, Kaduna
The Interim Management Committee Chairmen of the Jama’a and Kaura local government Councils of Kaduna state, Dr. Bege Katuka and Mr Alex Giwa Iya, said for the killing in Southern Kaduna to stop the people of the area must apply dialogue and genuine reconciliation and must also do away with rumours and reprisal attacks.
The Chairmen described as unfortunate, the comments that can trigger violence and breach peace credited to Senator Danjuma La’ah, representing South Senatorial District.
The two leaders at  joint press conference at Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat, Kaduna  said it is regrettable that , “Senator La’ah a very responsible man made public comment that the state government has showed no concern on the killings in Southern Kaduna is very unfortunate.
“For the senator to take side is very unfortunate, while the state Governor Nasir El-rufai has taken oath that he would protect lives and property of citizens of the state.
“It is also very unfortunate for Senator Laah to come out and opined that government is behind the killings in southern Kaduna.
“Whoever says this government is not doing anything towards resolving the crisis, is trying to give this government a bad name.”
Fielding question on what has been idenfied as responsible for the recent killing and reprisal attacks, Jema’a Local Government Chairman, Dr.Bege Katuka, explained , “Godogodo Chiefdom was the most peaceful area in Southern Kaduna until  26th May, 2016 when rumour of the killing of one Ango Bali, who still roams the streets led to a mob action against a Fulani settlement, where a Fulani leader was killed.
“Our people acted on unconfirmed information that Fulani herdsmen had attacked and killed Bali. But the said Bali is walking alive today. If our people had verified and discovered that the man was not killed as peddled, we would not have been where we are today.
“Instead of verifying, our people went straight to Fulani settlement, unleashed terror on them, killed one of their leaders and set ablaze about 60 huts. So, this is what brought us to where we are today with its ripple effect, which has now escalated to so many communities. It has led to vengeance and reprisals.
“But, while we don’t want to join issues with any of our leaders, we are here to clarify and set the record straight that, the government is leaving no stone unturned to stop killings of our people. We are combining reconciliatory efforts with security actions to bring an end to the unfortunate crisis.
“Since 26th May, efforts have been made to put the past behind us. These are people who have been living together for over several decades base on trust.
“What we need at this point in time is for our leaders to join forces, irrespective of their political difference to address this problem head-on. We must avoid politicizing security, at least for the sake of innocent people who are being killed.”
The Council Chairmen, however reiterated that the way forward to a peaceful Southern Kaduna is dialogue and genuine reconciliation.
They therefore extended hands of fellowship to all state and Federal lawmakers of Southern Kaduna extraction to join them in their efforts to bring back peace, without relating it to politics or religion.
They stressed “we will continue to ensure reconciliation and negotiation, because this is the best means of achieving peace and harmony in southern Kaduna”.
They also announced that, eleven communities in the area that have been affected by the crisis, have started returning to their homes since after the Godogodo crisis.

1 COMMENT

  1. Pl tell these sanator he can never be govonor of our beloved state instead of him terrorising our senatorial district rather he should concentrate of how to maintain the peace of our area and he should preferred for leaving the seat because he is not get to the task bias and selfish sanator

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