By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
Worried be renewed hostilities between Fulani herders, Bargawa and Kambari farmers the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna has pleaded with ethnic nationalities in Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas (LGAs) to embrace one another for peace to reign in the area.
The Catholic Bishop of Kontagora’s plea for an end to wanton destruction of lives and properties is coming against the backdrop of renewed hostilities which has claimed scores of lives and properties worth several millions of Naira destroyed.
Bishop Bulus, who is also the Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger state chapter reminded the warring tribes that they have no justifiable reasons destroying properties, maim or kill anyone created by God for whatsoever reason, and that the life of every human being should matter to them.
“Nobody should take the laws into their hands. Nobody should take way breath of life from fellow humans”, the Bishop Bulus said as he pleaded that they should respect the sanctity of life.
The Clergy man reminded those having no value for human lives that various tribes have lived together peacefully for decades in Borgu Kingdom and blamed recurrent attacks on aliens from neighbouring countries who have infiltrated the tribes and poisoned their minds against one another.
Bishop Bulus in a statement titled: Message of Peace and Unity, made available to newsmen in Minna on Tuesday appealed to the various tribes, particularly the Fulanis, Kambaris and Bargawas to desist from taking laws into their hands by killing one another, but to allow the government take actions that will bring about lasting peace amongst them.
“As major stakeholder and one who would always choose peace and togetherness over crisis and bloodletting, I strongly appeal to all the tribes in Borgu Emirate, including Kambari, Fulani and Bargawa to remain calm and stop the fighting and killing of one another".
The Catholic Bishop reminded the feuding tribes that, “We have lived peacefully with one another for decades and I can only appeal to you all and to your conscience not to allow the bad persons who have infiltrated our peaceful communities to cause disaffection amongst us".
“I reject and condemn any form of crime either by maiming, destruction of lives or killing. Let us not continue to take laws into out hands”, the Clergy man said as he encouraged them to work with security agencies in weeding out bad characters that have infiltrated their ranks especially those serving as informants rather than fighting each other.
He also challenged vigilante groups, youths and the ethnic pressure groups in the area to sheath their swords, noting that all grievances be channelled through the appropriate authorities for prompt actions.
“Let us embrace peace, I believe the government, working through security agencies and well meaning individuals can handle the situation and bring about lasting peace in Borgu and Agwara”.
Bishop Bulus nevertheless passionately appealed to the Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Muhammed Haliru Dantoro to set up peace and conflicts resolution committees that will help the different ethnic groups in the kingdom talk and solve the problems amicably. NNL.
