Participants at the Monthly Forum with Media on Peace Journalism, organised by the Interfaith Mediation Center Kaduna on the Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) Program, have expressed delight in the reduction rate of Kidnapping/Bandiitry and farmers and pastoralists clashes in some parts of the country, especially for the month of May, 2022.
This is contained in a communique issued at the Monthly Forum with Media on Peace Journalism held at the Kaduna Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC) in collaboration with Community Peace Action Network.
The Communique attributed the reduction on the efforts of government and other stakeholders within the security platforms.
“They condemned the killing of Deborah Samuel by some of her colleagues in Sokoto and the subsequent killing of a pregnant woman and her kids from the North by IPOB and commended Community Peace Observers, the media and other stakeholders for dousing the tension through their objective reportage and communication about the two incidence.
“They lamented over the increase in cultism in some parts of the country and urged the authorities concern to do the needful, most especially to prevent the younger generations to desist in joining such groups.
“They urged all religious leaders and institutions of the major recognized religion; Christianity and Islam to desist from provocative sermons to their followers especially in Churches and Mosques.
“Participants commended the media and Community Peace Observers (CPOs) in Kano State for their timely role in dousing tension during the Gas explosion in Sabon Gari Area of the State, saying thier efforts have helped in curtailing violence to some parts of the country.
“They commended the media for exposing the terrorists group over recruitment of some villagers in Kaduna State.
“They noticed the increase in political thuggery ahead of the 2023 general elections and called on the government at all levels to checkmate their activities so as to have an environment that allows for free, fair and credible elections deviod of violence in the country.
“They call on the media to abide by the ethical standard of the profession in thier reportage and to shun inciting information to the general public that would led to violence and breaking of law and order.
“The participants decried over possession of small arms and light weapons among some people under the pretex of depending themselves against bandits/criminal activities, pointing out that it may end up into ethnic/religious cleansing in the country.
