Kaduna State Peace Commission has given a strong possible concensus on settlement between Atakad and Ganawuri communities in Kaura LGA of the State and Riyom in Plateau State over disputed boundaries.
To this end, people displaced following the clashes resulting in the loss of lives and properties would have to go back to their homes and resume normal and productive lives
The Executive Vice Chairman, Kaduna State Peace Commission, Barr. Priscilla Ankut gave this indication on Tuesday while receiving the Director General , Plateau State Peace Building Agency who paid her a Solidarity visit in Kaduna, North West Nigeria.
Barr. Ankut disclosed that although interactive sessions had been held in Abuja and Jos with traditional rulers and relevant stakeholders from both communities , there was still the need for further engagement with development associatiins, youth and women groups.
Apart from that, she said it was noted that there was also growing intolerance between the two ethnic groups.
She stated that both the Commission and the Agency in Plateau were all working assiduously to approach all the issues holistically and Professionally to achieve Sustainable peach in the two communities.
The Executive Vice Chairman disclosed that the framework resolutions of the consultation would be stepped down for the local government authorities to organise community dialogues involving all key stakeholders at both Riyom and Kaura local government levels.
She also highlighted efforts being made at resolving crisis in other communities in the State.
“Similarly, the Commission has stepped up efforts aimed at resolving the crisis between Gure and Kahugu communities in Lere and Kauru local government areas of Kaduna State. Both communities are locked in a boundary tussle that has claimed lives and properties in the last three years. At the centre of the crisis is a patch of land stretching nearly ten kilometres, and which is considered fertile for agricultural purposes by both communities.
“A KAPECOM delegation has visited the area on a fact finding mission and held discussions with the Chief of Piriga Chiefdom, His Highness, Jonathan Zamuna and representatives of several communities.
“In all, there are 12 ethnic or linguistic as well as religious groups in Piriga chiefdom. Only recently, a senior member of the Commission visited the communities again. The officer involved initiated a sustainable mediation process and with the enthusiasm of the stakeholders, we are hopeful that practical and lasting solution would be found to the conflict.
“As to the challenge in Kajuru Local Government Area, the Commission is pursuing a three-tract engagement strategy in a renewed effort to resolve lingering skirmishes there. This is coming on the heels of our latest engagement with stakeholders because we believe that there is need for fresh and creative inputs to sustain the momentum in the peace process.
“One of the tracts KAPECOM is pursuing is focussing on reconciling the Adara people. In the course of dialogue, we discovered that there were divisions among the leadership of the Adara. Unless there is agreement among themselves, the dialogue will not be coherissues .
“Another tract the Commission is pursuing is working on resuscitating and working closely with the Kajuru Truth and Reconciliation Committee.
“At the last engagement with the Committee, we requested each community to avail it with their position papers. These position papers will inform us of the stand of each community—the Adara people, youth and women’s groups, and the Fulani—so that we will review the papers to enable us facilitate proper engagement. This will enable us see if proper agreement can be reached in some of the issues”, she concludes.
