Nasarawa communities in search of peace

Following the attacks on  some rural Nasarawa communities by suspected Fulani herdsmen two weeks ago, MOHAMMED YANGIDA writes on the efforts of those opposing communities towards a lasting peace.

Akwanga, Wamba and Nasarawa Eggon are the three local governments that constitute Nasarawa North Senatorial District in Nasarawa state. This zone, according to report, has been the most peaceful in the state for centuries.

Mada is one of the known and popular tribes in the zone even right from the defunct Benue-Plateau till the creation of the present Nasarawa state. Reliable account has it that they are a set of people who are predominantly found in the northern part of the state especially in Akwanga local government area.

Mada people are known for their rich cultural backgrounds and were never identified with any history of communal violence with their neighbours or strangers.

They are known to value relationship, very receptive and patient set of people who have, over the years, received accolades from others for their peaceful co-existence in the state.

Their humility towards visitors knows no bound which is why Akwanga local government, their ancestral home, continues to grow from strength to strength.

How the relative peace was torn apart

This had been the record until March 23, 2019 when the zone began to witness some communal conflicts between Mada people and Fulani herders over the death of a young girl and a Fulani man which led to the burning of houses in both communities in what is known as reprisal attacks from both sides.

The crisis led to the displacement of both Mada people of Akwanga LGA and Fulani people of nearby Andaha, Mate, Nidan, and Numa villages all in the same local government area of the state.

Also in the same recent attacks, it was reported that no fewer than 18 persons were killed while hundreds were displaced, a situation that generated fear in the minds of the residents of those areas.

It was gathered that the suspected Fulani gunmen invaded the community around 2 pm, shooting sporadically and killed 18 people including a pregnant woman and a 100 year-old man who were mostly from the Mada ethnic stock.

Also, it was gathered that the suspected herdsmen raped a Mada girl to death, a situation that almost triggered Mada people to embark on reprisal attack before the quick intervention of the state government which calmed down the situation.

Equally, there were reports of attacks on some Fulani settlements by suspected bandits leading to loss of hundreds of cows.

Speaking with Blueprint in Akwanga, the paramount traditional ruler of Akwanga local government the Chun Mada, Samson Gamu-yare, said it was disheartening that a peaceful and law- abiding community like his which, over the decades, has never been involved in skirmishes either internally or externally, would be attacked by Fulani herdsmen.

He called on the people to remain calm rather than resort to reprisal attacks.

The ruler sued for peace among the two groups and solicited for proper steps to be taken in resolving the misunderstanding.

“Anyone that cheats you, don’t take laws into your hands please. I am calling on you to stay calm as the government is on top of the situation. Nobody should go for reprisal attacks,” he advised.

The chairman of the local government, Samuel Meshi, described the attack as shocking and devastating. According to him, the attack was unprovoked as the people of the  community have been living in peace for decades.

He said, “The incident happened when the people of the community were celebrating a naming ceremony when suddenly the gunmen started shooting sporadically. It is devastating because we have never witnessed such in our area,” he said.

Also speaking, the senator representing the zone, Philip Gyunka, described the attack as barbaric and called on the federal government to come to the aid of the victims by enhancing a robust security architecture that can forestall incessant cases of attacks on communities.

He also admonished the state government to arrest and prosecute those behind the attacks. “I will not rest until permanent peace returns to the affected areas attacked by the Fulani herders,” Gyunka insists.

Governor Al-makura expressed sadness over the incident but called for peace and understanding between the two groups.

He said Akwanga local government area has always been a peaceful one and called for the residents to continue to maintain peace and embrace mutual co-existence.

“I want to assure you that a proper level of intervention from the government is certain but the only way to ensure a peaceful and appropriate resolution of differences is by consulting constituted institutions rather than take the laws into our hands,” he said.

While donating relief materials to the victims, the governor explained that the donation was geared towards alleviating the suffering of the affected persons because it was a situation that required quick intervention.

On his part, the state police commissioner, Bola Longe, said a new template would be improvised to effectively prevent a recurrence of the incident.

“Certainly, we will come out with a template that will not only bring back those displaced by this incident but will guarantee lasting peace in the localities,” he said.

A survivor, Alhassan Isa, lamented that they can no longer feed themselves as he said they have been rendered homeless. “Our houses have been razed down by the Fulani herders; we don’t know what informed the attack which led to the death of innocent people.”

The way forward

Owing to all of these, the two groups have reached a consensus by setting up a 60-man committee to look into the crisis with a view to finding a lasting solution.

The agreement was reached at the instance of Miyetti Allah chairman in the state, Mohammed Hussain, who noted that, “The reason I brought this idea of setting up a joint committee between the two ethnic groups, Mada and Fulani, is to checkmate the criminal elements that are disturbing the peace of this land,” Hussain said.

The committee, which has 30 members each from Mada and Fulani ethnic groups, will work in collaboration with security agencies to fish out the faceless killers terrorising people in the bushes in order to ensure that permanent peace returns to the area. Report indicated that there was no time-frame for the work of the committee as it would be an on-going one.

It is to be chaired by two alternate chairmen, one each from the Mada and Fulani ethnic groups. It was tasked to be fair-minded in carrying out the assignment of unearthing those behind the killings and destruction of property. Members were also charged to ensure that no effort is spared towards ensuring that lasting peace returns to Akwanga local government area.

Blueprint gathered that part of its terms of reference is to tour all the affected areas with a view to sensitising the people, especially the youths on the need for peaceful co-existence and as well fish out those terrorising the area.

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