Kaduna state Governor, Dr. Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, has decried the dangerous trend of wanton destruction of lives and property in the state and across the country, saying that “it is time to halt the ugly situation through collaborative efforts of stakeholders before it gets out of hand.”
Addressing a two-day retreat for traditional rulers from all parts of the state to enhance their capacities in dealing with emerging security challenges, organised by the state government as part of its multi-dimensional approach to achieving security and peace building, Yero said it was unfortunate that some persons found pleasure in taking human lives without justification.
He said: “We need to know why people are now killing fellow humans the way they kill ants. People talk about differences in tribe or religion as the cause of what is happening, but we have all these differences in the past and we lived in peace. So why can’t we live in peace now, we need to find out what has gone wrong.”
Yero, who expressed the need for people to fear God, added that “maybe it is because we have deviated from the path of the Almighty God and if that is the case we have to go back and seek for His forgiveness first.”
He urged traditional rulers to avoid being partisan as leaders of all, stressing that their role was critical in the efforts of building lasting peace and security. “Dialogue is the only answer; we need to dialogue in order to understand with one another. There is no amount of guns or security that can guarantee peace; it is only through dialogue and understanding.”
The governor said a similar retreat will soon be held for religious leaders in the state to remind them on the need to promote peaceful coexistence through their preaching and sermons.
He said the state government will assist in rebuilding the burnt houses in the villages affected in the recent insurgencies to hasten the rehabilitation process and return normalcy, adding that government is also working with relevant security agencies to increase security presence in the area.
