A Non-Governmental Organisation, Rahama Barkido Initiative, BRAIN, has condemned the crisis in Southern Kaduna, calling on the Nigerian Government to take measures for lasting peace.
A statement signed the group’s Chairperson, Ramatu Abarshi, on Wednesday, described the unending killings in the region and other parts of the North as worrisome.
The group, therefore, urged all well-meaning Nigerians and the Kaduna State Government in particular to live up to their Cardinal Constitutional Responsibility of protecting lives and property of citizens.
“The wanton destruction of lives and property across the North, and especially Kaduna State is very disturbing.
“This is worrisome is the creeping perception among the people that the government is either unwilling or incapable of ending the spate of killings.
“This perception MUST not be allowed to deep root. Government must do more to find a quick and lasting solution to the lingering insecurity across the North,” the statement noted.
“The Kaduna State Government should heed to popular appeal and involve all stakeholders in the search for lasting peace in Southern Kaduna, challenging all stakeholders to rise up to the occasion.
“On the other hand, all stakeholders must embrace tolerance, compromise and also assist government to restore peace and stability, without which no meaningful development could be achieved,” the statement added.
Mrs Abarshi also called on the 19 Northern States and Kaduna State Government to ‘add more intervention’ to end the killings in the area.
While urging the governor to deploy more troops in the area, the chairperson advocated for dialogue that would produce a white paper to be implemented by the state government.
According to her, such development would serve as a panacea to future peace and security of the area.
“As a woman from northern Nigeria, I’m also a peace lover of this country. The incidents that happen here should be a concern to every peace lover in Nigeria. We are more affected whenever any crisis occur.
“This is why I came out to talk to the Kaduna State governor, Mallam Ahmad Nasir El-rufai to add more intervention on what is happening in Southern part of Kaduna state.
“Innocents people are being killed, criminals are having a field day, the stories outside there is painting us black and we need to do something.
“I also pledged with him that we will not leave him alone because the work of peace and resolving crisis like this is a collective work rather than that of an individual or government alone.
“He needs to add more troops and give opportunities for people of Southern Kaduna from both side to meet, dialogue and come out with a white paper, where both parties would agree on the way forward,” Mrs Abarshi noted.
