As parts of efforts to restore peace to their region and communites, the Atyap, Hausa, and Fulani communities in Atyap Chiefdom of Southern Kaduna, met and engaged in peaceful conversations to find a lasting solution to incessant attacks, killings, and civic unrest in the southern part of Kaduna State.
Recall that the communities have long conflicted, leading to attacks and killings as accusations and counter-accusations have taken centre stage.
Following this, a peace dialogue organized by an individual initiative facilitated by Mr. Victor Abarshi and his team took place separately in Zonzon, Agwan Gaiya, Gora, and Zango Urban districts of the Chiefdom in the Zango Kataf Local Government Area.
Speaking at the dialogue sessions implemented in four districts, Abarshi said in 2021, a dialogue was initiated with and between these communities, adding that eight systematic dialogue sessions were held with youth, women leaders, and other stakeholders.
According to him, the peace dialogue made the youth commit to a peace accord signed on the 6th of June, 2022.
He said the Agwatyap, Sir Dominic Yahaya, with the unanimous support of stakeholders, agreed that the dialogue sessions be implemented in the Chiefdom’s five districts, adding that it is to consolidate the gains and successes achieved, including the significant de-escalation of violence.
According to him, the quest for peace is a continuous process, not a one-off event.
He noted that from previous engagements, it is clear that all parties want peace and are ready to work for it.
Various speakers, including Mr. Luke Adankat, the District Head of Angwan Gaiya; Mal. Magaji Baban, the Hausa Leader of Zango, and Ardo Abubakar, the Fulani Leader of Gora District, restated the need for peaceful co-existence.
They highlighted some of the issues that still threaten peace, including the deliberate destruction of crops at farms and the poisoning or killing of cows.
They said others are stealing yams from farms, displacement of people from their communities, and mutual suspicion.
On the way forward to achieve lasting peace in the chiefdom, the stakeholders called on people to always tell the truth and forgiveness on all sides and to make joint efforts in protecting farms and cattle and peaceful resolution of issues through available lawful means.
Also, they urged Fulanis that left the Chiefdom to return to their communities.
A joint dialogue with delegates from all the districts of the Chiefdom at the next engagement was also agreed upon.