The Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter north central Nigeria, Most Reverend Dr. Bulus Yohanna, has appealed to the Kambari, Fulani and Bargawa communities in Borgu and Agwara Local Government Areas to sheath their swords.
The Bishop’s appeal followed recent clashes in the Borgu Emirate that have reportedly claimed dozens of lives and displaced hundreds of residents from their homes.
In a statement titled “Message of Peace and Unity,” made available to newsmen on Tuesday, Bishop Yohanna urged the warring communities to remain calm and allow the government and security agencies to address their grievances.
He said the various ethnic groups had lived together peacefully for decades, urging them not to allow what he described as “bad eggs” who had infiltrated their communities to destroy the existing relationship among them.
“As a major stakeholder and one who would choose peace and togetherness over crisis, I strongly appeal to all the tribes, which include Kambari, Fulani and Bargawa, to remain calm and stop the fighting and killing,” he said.
“We have lived peacefully for decades and I can only appeal to you all not to allow the bad eggs who have infiltrated our peaceful communities to cause disaffection amongst us.
“I reject and condemn any form of crime, either by destruction, maiming or killing. Let us not take the law into our hands.”
Cooperate with Security
Bishop Yohanna further urged residents to cooperate with security agencies to identify and remove criminal elements from their communities, particularly those allegedly working as informants and instigators of violence.
He also appealed to vigilante groups, youths and members of the different ethnic communities to lay down their arms and channel their grievances through appropriate authorities.
“Let us embrace peace. I believe the government, security agencies and well-meaning individuals can handle the situation and bring lasting calm,” he said.
The Bishop also called on the Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Muhammed Haliru Dantoro, to establish peace and conflict-resolution committees that would provide an avenue for the affected ethnic groups to engage in dialogue and resolve their differences fairly.
He commended President Bola Tinubu and the Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, for their efforts to strengthen security in Agwara and Borgu communities.
Bishop Yohanna stressed that dialogue, cooperation with security agencies and respect for the rule of law remained essential to restoring lasting peace in the affected communities.
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