Dialogue, Reconciliation and Peace Centre Hosts Miango/Irigwe and Fulani Elders and Youths, Sues for Peace

Plateau State have experienced relative peace in the past few years. The political, religious, social and economic atmosphere of the state has been peaceful. In 2015 the peaceful nature of the general election underlines the effort made by Government and other NGOs/CSOs. In other to strengthen the process of peace on the State, the current Government established the Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA), to facilitated peace building activities towards ending conflict in Plateau State.

Recently, the peace enjoyed by the people of Plateau State has eluded us. Violent conflict, attacks and reprisal attacks have become the order of the day, many people were killed and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed in Miango and other surrounding villages in Irigweland. 

Bassa LGA used to be one of the most peaceful LGA in Plateau State, but recently from 2016 it has been engulf in a cycle of violence. It started between Irigwe and Rukuba the two major tribes in the LGA and recently it has escalated between the Irigwe and the Fulani’s.

The ethnic crises between Fulani and Irigwe have taken a different dimension with high level of killings and destruction. Many people were killed, farms were destroyed and many cattle were killed and rustled while millions of people have been displaced mostly women and children. 

Despite the deployment of military personnel in the affected areas the violence kept escalating day by day.

FACTORS IDENTIFIED AS CAUSES OF THE CONFLCIT

According to the people the following factors contributed towards escalating the crises between the Fulani and the Irigwe.

Ø Break in communication between the two communities which led to suspicion and mutual distrust.

Ø Hijacking of the crises by criminals to perpetrate their criminal activities- Such as Cattle rustling, Rubbery etc. 

Ø Proliferation of arms in the communities

Ø Lack of political will by government and the security agencies to curtail the situation

Ø Stray cattle or cows as a result of underage shepherds or children. 

INTERVENTION:

First dialogue Session: The Archbishop invited all the Leaders/Elders of Irigwe and Fulani residing around Miango in Bassa LGA, on the 28^thMarch 2018 to DREP centre for dialogue 

As part of his effort in promoting peaceful coexistence among people in Plateau State; the Archbishop of Jos Most. Rev. Ignatius A. Kaigama, invited the leaders and representatives of the two ethnic communities of Fulani and Irigwe for a roundtable dialogue session. The dialogue session was held in DREP Centre because of its neutrality to both parties. During the dialogue session the people shared their grievances and expressed their dissatisfaction over the entire situation.

The people narrated how the crises have affected their lives negatively. For the Irigwe ethnic communities, they expressed their pains on how they lost loved ones and at the moment they cannot go to their farms because of the fear of attacks.

The Fulani people also expressed their pains on how they will not be able to go into the bush to rear their animals for fear of attacks and at the moment they are displaced and have to settle in other parts of the LGA. 

After a lengthy discussion the people came to the agreement that they will put all effort to bring to an end the incessant ethnic crises that have bedevilled their communities.

OUTCOMES

After a lengthy interaction under the guidance of His Grace the Archbishop, the following agreements were arrived at:

1.    We have agreed that we have offended one another and therefore seek to forgive one another. 

2.    We have agreed that all forms of hostility should be stopped immediately. We need to address our youths to cease all forms of hostility from both sides.

3.    We have agreed to live together in peace and tolerance.

4.    We have agreed to go back and sensitize our youths on the need for peaceful coexistence.

5.    We are aware that there are foreigners responsible for the attacks. We agree on the need for such foreigners to be identified and expelled from the communities.

6.    We caution ourselves on spreading unfounded rumours which can escalate the conflict.

7.    We caution ourselves not to temper with farms or cattle that do not belong to us, especially as we approach the farming season.

8.    We have agreed that Fulani chiefs and youths should collaborate with the Irigwe chiefs and youths to ensure lasting peace.

9.    We have agreed that the Fulanis should not leave their cattle in the custody of under- aged children especially where the cattle are many.

10.  We have agreed that both the Fulani and the Irigwe communities will bring 15 youths each for dialogue aimed at ending the conflict in Irigwe land. Also, so that they too will key in and be part of the agreement since they are always they ones at the for-front during violent conflicts.

11.  The meeting with the youths has been scheduled for Thursday 5^thApril 2018. While the meeting with the stakeholders (Miango, Rukuba, youths and Fulani) has been scheduled for Saturday 5^thMay 2018, with Representatives from JNI and CAN to join in the meeting.

Because of the success of the first dialogue session between the leaders of Irigwe and Fulani, they suggested another separate meeting for the youth representatives of both tribes to meet in DREP also for dialogue. The elders agreed to invite 15 youth leaders from each tribe for the next meeting.

 Second Dialogue Session:with Youth Representatives of Irigwe and Fulani Communities in Miango.  

The second dialogue session took place on the 5^thApril 2018 in DREP Centre, with the youth representatives of the both Fulani and Irigwe communities in Miango and heir surrounding villages. The meeting with the youth also took the same format as that of the elders. After a lengthy discussion and sharing of experience, the youth also come to a conclusion that they will want to strengthen the peace process they have started through this dialogue. As a result, they agreed to meet again in their community, and they will invite other youths within their various communities in other to widen the scope of participation in the meeting and to gain wide acceptance of the peace process. 

They fixed 19^thApril 2018 for the next meeting, venue to be announce by the paramount chief Irigwe chiefdom.

The following agreements were also arrived at:

OUTCOMES

1.     Crimes should not be generalised by demonising the person’s tribe. If a person commits a crime, such a person should be isolated and punished.

2.     Some people sometimes bring in foreigners to assist them in fighting their neighbours within our communities. Such foreigners should be identified and reported to both traditional and political authorities.

3.     The sincerity of the dialogue meetings between our communities so far is questionable, since after these meetings and agreements reached, people are still being killed. It is important that all who are present at this meeting be honest and sincere to ourselves.

4.     Both Irigwe and Fulani have coexisted together in peace for a very long time. We need to forgive one another and bury the hatchet because we have no other home and taking someone else’ life will not add to yours. We should forgive and forget.

5.     Despite the conflict, there are some Irigwe and Fulani who are still collaborating and working together in building bridges of peace, love and unity. We urge all our people to join hands and work together for peace.

6.     It is hurtful when a person cultivates his farm and his crops are uprooted with impunity and arrogance. We urge all to shun destructive tendencies.

7.     We all are Religious adherents. As such, we must respect and listen to God, our Holy Books and our Religious and traditional leaders. We must also be our brother’s keepers.

8.     Offenders should be judged and punished justly. We beg that punishment should always be commensurate to the offence committed.

9.     Considering the beautiful peaceful and loving relationship that has existed between us until now, what has happened is very shameful, because we all are losers. Let us therefore give peace a chance.

10.  We request HRH Rev. Ronku Aka, the paramount leader of Irigwe land to call a meeting of all traditional leaders in Irigwe chiefdom, including the Fulani (youths and elders) for a reconciliatory meeting on 19^thApril 2018, the venue will be communicated soon. This will come before our next consultative meeting scheduled for 5^thMay 2018.

11.  The elders call on youths to strengthen this process of peace in the various communities.

12.  We call on our Religious leaders to use the pulpit in preaching peace, we also call on the youths to support them in bringing peace back.

13.  We suggest the formation of combined local vigilantes of Fulani and Irigwe in our communities, instead of over relying on the police and soldiers.

14.  We should learn to expose bad elements within our communities so that they do not give our communities a bad name.

15.  As we have agreed to forgive one another here, we as a Religious people need to seek forgiveness from God, individually and collectively for inner peace and healing.

16.  For the realisation of permanent peace in our communities, we call on government to try and bring back, and resettle the displaced Fulani in their former communities. We also call on government to implement all the reports presented by the commission of enquiries formed by past governments.

17.  A joint prayer event will be organised by the Dialogue Reconciliation and Peace (DREP) Centre on a date to be announced soon. We all have agreed that we should forgive and forget.

With this intervention by the Archbishop of Jos, Most. Rev. Ignatius A. Kaigama and DREP, we strongly believe that permanent and sustainable peace has returned to Irigweland and Bassa LGC of Plateau State.

PLEASE, STOP THE CIRCLE OF KILLINGS – AN APPEAL TO THE FULANI AND IRIGWE OF BASSA LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN PLATEAU STATE.

The Catholic Archbishop of Jos and Founder of the Dialogue, Reconciliation and Peace (DREP) Centre, Most Rev (Dr.) Ignatius Kaigama has condemned in strong terms the recent attacks and killings in Bassa Local Government of Plateau State, calling on the Presidency must show more concern and active interest in investigating the unfolding events and to intervene effectively. 

Archbishop kaigama who lent his voice of condemnation said "while the attacks are perhaps, as a result of bottled-up anger, unresolved social issues or ethnic chauvinism which have led to utter disrespect for the sacredness of human lives, we Nigerians must find better ways of venting our anger." 

He stated that it is so worrisome that despite the presence of security agents people could still be killed in a primary school where they took refuge, even during the hours of a curfew imposed on the Local Government. He called on government to ensure that evil doers should not go unpunished and necessary security lapses should be rectified.

He also appealed to our brothers and sisters, the Irigwe and the Fulani,  to please give peace a chance. "Your losses may be enormous, but once there is life, there is hope."

Find below the full text of the Press Release: 

PRESS RELEASE

PLEASE, STOP THE CIRCLE OF KILLINGS – AN APPEAL TO THE FULANI AND IRIGWE OF BASSA LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN PLATEAU STATE.

 BY MOST REV. IGNATIUS A. KAIGAMA. CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP OF JOS AND PRESIDENT, CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF NIGERIA.

For over two years now, Plateau State has enjoyed happy and peaceful coexistence, giving birth to greater confidence and trust to its citizens and visitors alike that only the best will henceforth happen in the State. This peace has unfortunately been rudely interrupted by the outburst of recent killings in Bassa Local Government between the Fulani and the Irigwe. The attacks come on the heels of a national spiritual gathering of Catholics all over Nigeria in Benin City to re-consecrate our dear country to the Blessed Virgin Mother and pray for peace, unity and reconciliation among Nigerians. The occasion marked the conclusion of the centenary of the apparitions of the Blessed Mother in Fatima in 1917, when the world was experiencing the terrible effects of the First World War. While the attacks are perhaps, as a result of bottled-up anger, unresolved social issues or ethnic chauvinism which have led to utter disrespect for the sacredness of human lives, we Nigerians must find better ways of venting our anger.

An attempt by the Governor of Plateau State Barr. Simon Bako  Lalong, to inspire reconciliation and mutual forgiveness was not successfully implemented by the parties concerned. It is however still not too late. It is better late than never.

It is a fact that many Fulani speak the Irigwe language and many Irigwe speak the Fulani language which goes to show the long period of peaceful coexistence, but the events of the past week indicate that the peaceful, harmonious and fraternal coexistence has been severely wounded. The two tribes offering the olive branch to each other is what can restore normalcy, healing, trust and confidence. The burial on Monday 16th October in Nkiedonwhro of 29 persons shows that a lot more needs to be done by both tribes to face their collective future with greater optimism.

 

Our thoughts go to all those affected, with fervent prayers that God will grant them all the needed consolation and the ability to say “never again” to the destruction of human lives, animal lives, farm produce, houses and all others means of livelihood. May the dead rest in peace.

I pray that the long and intense security meetings by the Governor, security officials and stakeholders will bear the necessary fruits of peace. It is so worrisome that despite the presence of security agents people could still be killed in a primary school where they took refuge, even during the hours of a curfew imposed on the Local Government! How much of this is politics or how much is influenced by internal or external sponsors or complicity of certain individuals who should help but keep fanning the flame of violence needs to be investigated. The Presidency must show more concern and active interest in investigating the unfolding events and to intervene effectively. The evil doers should not go unpunished and necessary security lapses should be rectified.

To our dear brothers and sisters the Irigwe and the Fulani, please give peace a chance. Your losses may be enormous, but once there is life, there is hope.

Signed: 

 +I.A Kaigama 

Key Religious and Community Leaders Condemn Spate of Hate Speech Across the Country

Religious and Community Leaders in Jos, the Plateau State Capital have condemned the rising spate of hate speech across the country, calling on their followers to shun provocative actions and comments that are capable of causing disunity in the country.
Speaking at a quarterly Dialogue and Consultative meeting held at the Dialogue, Reconciliation and Peace (DREP) Centre, Jos on Thursday 15th June 2017, the leaders called on Christian and Muslim clerics as well as community leaders to use their pulpits and good offices to douse the rising tension across the country while insisting that Nigeria is greater together as a nation.

In a community issued at the end of the meeting which had in attendance Key religious and community leaders as well as members of the security agencies and other organized religious, cultural and social groups, the leaders called on the government and security agencies to be proactive in arresting and prosecuting persons and groups making inciting statements that can plunge the country into chaos and violence.
Details of the communique reads as follows:

MEETING OF RELIGIOUS AND ETHNIC/COMMUNITY LEADERS HELD AT THE DIALOGUE, RECONCILIATION AND PEACE (DREP) CENTRE, KWANG, JOS SOUTH ON THURSDAY 15^TH JUNE, 2017

Arising from a dialogue and combined consultative meeting of Religious and Ethnic/Community leaders held on Thursday, 15^th June 2017, We Religious and Community leaders at the Dialogue, reconciliation and Peace Centre (DREP), Jos, make the following observations:

1.    While we appreciate the continued peaceful coexistence being experienced in Jos town and its environs, we however decry the increasing hate speech among our youth which can cause serious crisis. We therefore, call on our youth to be tolerant and charitable in their speech. We also call on security agencies to prosecute all those who threaten the peace through hate speech. We call on all parents, religious and community leaders to caution their children and followers against making provocative and inciting comments.  

2.    We also appreciate the current peace we are enjoying in Jos town and surrounding but we decry the increasing cases of criminality and lawlessness and urge that they be curtailed. We observe in addition to car and battery stealing, motorcycles still operate in some locations in defiance to the directive by Government banning them. We also observed that tricycles still operate beyond their restricted time and when security agents arrest them, they are alleged to pay bribe and are allowed to continue operating, this has resulted in increased crime and insecurity.

3.    We wish to caution our youth to stop beating the drums of war and also fanning the embers of division that can threaten the peace of the country. Nigeria as a nation cannot afford another civil war. Hence, such comments even when made as a joke must stop forthwith. We wish to reiterate our strong belief in the oneness and unity of Nigeria as its indivisibility is non-negotiable.

4.    We call on citizens to develop the habit of good waste management. We also call on Government agencies such as Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) and Ministries for Urban Development and Health to do more in waste collection and drainage clearing so as to prevent flood and other health hazards. 

5.    We observe that drugs and substance abuse by our youth is on the rise as such illicit drugs and substances are now sold and consumed openly in areas such as Angwan Rukuba, Janta Mangoro, Gada Biyu, Angwan Rogo, Utan, Rukkuba Road, West of mines etc. Security agencies appear either indifferent or are helpless. We therefore, call on the security agencies to wake up to their responsibility of ridding our communities of illegal drugs and substances. We must not forget that drug and substance abuse encourage crime and violence.

6.    We wish to commend the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Nassarawa Police Division and Sector 2 of the Special Task Force (STF) for their effort and collaboration in ridding the surrounding communities of drug addicts and substance abusers as well as other criminals.

7.    We commend elders, leaders and even youths who distance themselves from hate speeches and the clamour for the division of our country. We urge all to work towards a united Nigeria where there is justice for all and equitable distribution of resources among our citizens.

8.    We call on Christian and Muslim clerics and religious leaders to use the pulpit to discourage their faithfuls from making hate speeches that create tension and leads to violence among our citizens.

9.    We call on Fulani herdsmen to avoid grazing their cattle on cultivated farmlands during this farming season to avoid clashes with farmers in our rural areas.

10.Arrested drug addicts and criminals must not be let to go off lightly by security personnel. They should be prosecuted in proportion to their crime so as to discourage others from committing the same crime.

11. We commend the presence and active participation of the Department of State Service (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and the Director General of the Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA) at our meeting. We look forward to the participation of other Government Agencies like the Special Task Force (STF), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other security agencies. We strongly believe that their personal presence and contribution will add great value to our interactions.

12. We the religious and community leaders in our dear Plateau State pledge to live peacefully with one another among the ethnic, community and the religious groups, and we renew our loyalty and determination to live as one people in one state under one indivisible nation and God. We also wish our Muslim brothers and sisters a happy and peaceful Sallah celebration.

RELIGIOUS LEADERS                                                                                             

CATHOLIC SECRETARIAT OF NIGERIA (ARCHBISHOP I. A. KAIGAMA)        

CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (BISHOP I K. CHINDO)                 

JAMA’ATU NASRIL ISLAM (JNI) (ALH. YUSUF SARUMI)                                 

EMIR OF WASE (REP. BY MUSTAPHA UMAR GALADIMA)                             

TEKAN/ECWA HQS (THOMAS W. HILDI)                                                         

NACOMYO (MALAM ABDULMAJEED ABDULLLATEEF)                                   

NAWAIRUDEEN JOS (SURAJUDEEN SOYOYE)                                                

COMMUNITY LEADERS                                                                    

BEROM COMMUNITY          (DA. Y. N. DANG)                                           

ANAGUTA COMMUNITY (MATHEW P. SANI)                                             

IGBO COMMUNITY (PROF. J. E. C. OBILOM)                                           

SOLOMON A. OLUGBODI)                                  

YORUBA COMMUNITY (CHIEF TOYE OGUNSHEYI)                                  

SOUTH-SOUTH COMMUNITY (CHIEF. IGNATIUS EMLI)                            

MIYETTI ALLAH (ALH. MUHAMMAD NURU)                                                

DREP BOARD (PAUL GUNAT)                                                                       

ORGANIZATIONS                                                                                              

PLATEAU STATE PEACE BUILDING AGENCY (MR. JOSEPH LENGMANG) 

DEPARTMENT OF STATE SERVICE (DSS) (JUDE BENJAMIN)                       

NIGERIAN SECURITY AND CIVIL DEFENSE CORP (NSCDC) (DAJO S. ZAKKA