The notoriety of Kafanchan as hotbed of religious or political violence is fast becoming a thing of the past. ABUBAKAR LABARAN KAFANCHAN reports
The accompanying crises of the 2011 general elections in some parts of the country, particularly Kaduna state and indeed Kafanchan town and its environs in Southern Kaduna, led to loss of several lives and property, giving the attendant religious, ethnic and political dimensions of the conflicts.
However, government and other stakeholders, traditional and religious institutions, civil societies, the Armed Forces, Police, and other security agencies are continually playing their part to ensure lasting sanity returns.
Buhari, El-Rufai’s coming
It is needful to mention that with the coming on board of President Muhammadu Buhari and Kaduna state Governor, Nasir Ahmed El-Rufa’i, the incessant crises that often characterise the Southern Kaduna enclave appear a thing of the past.
To achieve this, the governor marshalled human, material and financial resources, to ensure normalcy returns to the state so that democratic dividends are put in place for the good of all.
Also, with the coming of the present administrator of Jema’a Local Government Council, Malam Yusuf Usman Mu’azu, the challenge of reconciliation became his unenviable lots. And to achieve this, he initiated several peace among warring communities and giving them encouragement, hope and meaningful development, as well ensuring mutual respect and understanding among them, irrespective of their differences.
Government’s efforts at ensuring sustainable peace informed the establishment of a military and Mobile Police Barracks in Kafanchan, which the peace-loving residents of the area, had long agitated for. In addition, there are various military operations, which include, Operation Harbin Kunama II and Operation safe Haven, as well as the mounting of security checkpoints in all nooks and crannies of the Kafanchan and its environs.
Normalcy returns
All the security initiatives and a couple of other communal efforts, have cumulatively led to the restoration of peace in the area. The crises, which were almost becoming a common feature in the town, have not only fizzled out, but also significantly led to bumper harvest of farm produce, reopening of all schools, physical infrastructural development, human capacity development, especially for youth and women, health care development, projects and programmes and many more.
Trading activities picking up
Kafanchan town which is the headquarters of Jema’a local government area, is also the heart of Southern Kaduna comprising eight local governments area. The historic town is richly blessed in human resources, commercial centres, banks and institutions of learning, the reason it is always busy with activities.
The town has eight commercial and three microfinance banks, with two daily markets and another Sunday weekly market in addition to having the biggest Pig market in West Africa.
Blueprint investigation reveals that in the last ten months, these markets are been patronized fully. Other markets in the surrounding towns famous for the sales of ginger which is the major cash crop in the area, have not only picked up, but the patronage has broadened as marketers from outside the state and country are trooping in on daily basis to buy goods.
With the return of sanity, activities start early in the morning everyday as people in their numbers go about their business peacefully, and farmers go to their farms to work without any fear of attack from any quarter, workers and students go to their working place and schools respectively irrespective of the location, a situation that was not possible in the past.
A visit to some major streets in Kafanchan, reveals that ginger marketers were preparing and loading the commodity in trailers ready for export, while other people are going about their businesses.
Most of the houses and shops razed in the wake of the turmoil have been repaired, while new houses are daily springing up following attendant increase in business activities.
Need for peaceful co-existence
The general mood and feeling among the people centre around the need for peaceful co-existence which they believe is the only way to achieving meaningful development.
Speaking to our reporter, the council chairman, Malam Mu’azu assured that governments will not relent in their effort at parleying the public on the need for tolerance, forgiveness of wrongs, contribution to the building of the nation and been one’s brother’s keeper.
Mu’azu said all hands most be on deck to rid the society of people with suspicious character, setbacks, and enhance permanent peace and security, unity and development, to ensure Kafanchan, Southern Kaduna, Kaduna state and indeed Nigeria shall be great again.
He commended the people of the area for their resolve to live peacefully with one another, and also for obeying the rule of law and all constituted authorities, and urged investors to come to the area and invest.
The council chair also assured of government’s readiness at all levels, to protect the lives and properties of everybody, irrespective of race or religion.
Traditional institution and CSO pledge support
In the same vein, the Emir of Jema’a Alhaji Muhammadu Isa Muhammadu commended the government for their effort in securing lives and properties of the people in the area, and promised his support to ensuring lasting peace.
None Governmental Organizations have continued to help in maintaining the peace by providing succour to affected victims. Building materials and money are been given to them regularly by the Red Cross, Global Peace Initiatives and Interfaith Association.
Religious leaders too..
The Deputy Imam of Kafanchan Central Mosque, Alhaji Mami Qassim called on the people to live peacefully with one another, noting that both him Christianity and Islam preach peace. Similar message of hope came from Rev. Reuben Abdullahi of ECWA Church, Low Cost Kafanchan, who reminded the people on the need to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness and tolerance.
With the return of normalcy, it is hoped that all stakeholders will for once say ‘no to Kafanchan as hotbed of violence. If this is the resolve, then the historic town , will surely be a pride to all and by extension, become an investors’ haven.
