Residents, Fulani communities begin dialogue to end the killings in Southern Kaduna

The Atyap chiefdom, Fulani and Hausa communities in the Zangon-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State met on Saturday on ways to find a long-lasting panacea to the incessant killings in southern Kaduna.

The attacks that have been going on for decades had become increasingly dangerous in recent times, forcing the state government to impose a 24-hour curfew on four LGAs of Kaura, Kauru, Jema’a and Zango-Kataf in the state.

The meeting, which took place under the patronage of His Highness, the Agwatyap, Dominic Gambo Yahaya, took place at the Mariyamu and Yakubu Event Centre in Ungwan Wakili, Zango-Kataf LGA, Daily Times gathered.

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The peace summit was co-chaired by Air Vice Marshal Stephen Shekari (retd) and Dr Salim Umar, who represented the Atyap Chiefdom.

A 14-point communiqué was signed at the end of the meeting by representatives of all the groups present.

Instructions contained in the communique was that all residents of Atyap Chiefdom should not take laws into their hands but summit all grievances to the lawful authorities.

The paper “appreciated the fact that all Nigerians have the constitutional or fundamental right to move and reside anywhere in Nigeria, including Atyap Chiefdom, without any fear, molestation or harassment from anybody or any source whatsoever.”

Meanwhile, the Commander of Operation Safe Haven, Maj Gen Chukwuemeka Okonkwo, urged residents of the areas to embrace peace.

The Army General stated this at the Atyap Peace and Reconciliation Summit, urging the people to be resolute toward ending the violence in the area.

The Commander said, “My impression is that everybody desires peace, but we must take practical steps to stop the circle of killings in our communities. As a people, we can resolve to stop the criminality; there is no conflict that cannot be resolved. So, I am sincerely pleading that you should sheath your swords and embrace peace, for our benefit and the generation yet unborn.”