Govt not sincere to end Zamfara killings – MACBAN

A leader of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Arch Ibrahim Agege has said that Zamfara State government is not sincere in its attempt to end the incessant killings of people in the state, adding that the government must create a level-playing field for all Nigerians, including herders.

He called for sincerity of purpose in the approach saying “both the government and the people know the way out.”

The MACBAN leader said this on Sunday during a town hall meeting with members of Interfaith Dialogue Forum (IDFP).

He said that the only way out of the current Zamfara killings that have led to the death of over 3,000 persons is for actors in the conflict and the state government to adopt sincerity in resolving the problem.

A representative of the Hope Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, Mallam Abubakar G, said both government and the traditional the institution should work together to find lasting peace.

“For peace to be restored in the state, the government and our monarchs must work together in sincerity in order to stave off further killings. Our religious leaders must preach peace and teach their followers on the need t embrace dialogue in resolving conflict,” he said.

A representative of a group, Taimakon Foundation, Mallam Husseini Abubakar, said the crisis will only end when people resolve to end it.

“We all know those killing our people in Zamfara state. They live with us and carry weapons. We see them in our markets. It’s not true that those killing our people are from foreign countries,” he declared.

An elderly speaker, Alhaji Bello Duka, called on government and monarchs, including and actors in the conflict, to work towards peace.

“Our homes are no longer safe and if this continues, we are doomed. We can only resolve this crisis when we embraced sincerity and forgiveness for past killings. Vengeance can only elongate the crisis,” he said.

The Special Adviser (Media and Enlightenment) the state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dosara, said government was committed to ending the crisis. He disclosed that the Zamfara State Government has so far spend a whopping sum of N15 billion.

IDFP on Sunday stated that the Head of the its team, Alhaji Yakubu Aminu, expressed appreciation to all those who attended the event and promised to incorporate the outcome of the town hall deliberations in the Forum’s report.