Embrace peace, Yakowa urges militia group
Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa
Kaduna state governor, Mr. Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, yesterday reacted to the purported one-week ultimatum given to Fulani herdsmen to leave Southern Kaduna by a militia group, Akwat Akwop, urging the sect to embrace peace and dialogue rather than resorting to violence.
The militia had issued the warning following the killing of a man and his daughter in Madakiya District, Zangon Kataf Local Government, last week.
The governor, who spoke through his Special Adviser (Christian Matters), Rev. Joseph John Hayab, said only dialogue could guarantee peace and development, and assured all Fulani herdsmen of adequate security of lives and property.
The government said in a statement: “Within the week there was a statement going round within Kaduna state and the nation at large by a group, Akwat Akwop, who, in their statement, gave one week ultimatum to Fulani herdsmen to leave the whole of Southern Kaduna or face spontaneous attacks by the militant sect of the said organisation who were presented as Christian militias. Christianity does not in any way harbour killings, sheer wickedness and other nefarious activities of mankind.
“We find it imperative to categorically state that violence will not yield resolution, and is not a panacea for peace and development of Kaduna state. The group should as a matter of fact complement government initiative of setting up Kaduna state Peace and Reconciliation Committee. The formation of the committee is principally to bring about reconciliation, forgiveness and understanding.”
Continuing, it said: “Those peddling violence, rancour and division should note that there is nothing to be gained from incessant killings and violence, but there is abundant of development and unity out of peaceful co-existence and stability. We are, by this gesture, appealing to the group to embrace dialogue and reconsider their stand; peace, it must be reiterated, is the panacea to all human demands and aspirations. They should embrace dialogue and boycott vengeance and all forms of instability.
“Finally, we are also appealing to all Fulani herdsmen to remain calm, and that adequate security measures have been put in place by security agencies to guarantee security of lives and properties throughout the area. They should as well compliment government gesture in the effort of achieving peace and understanding, not only in Southern Kaduna but entirety of Kaduna state.”
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