Niger attacks: Bishop Yohanna urges Kambari, Fulani, Bargawa to end hostilities
Niger attacks: Bishop Yohanna urges Kambari, Fulani, Bargawa to end hostilities
By Mohammed Baba Busu
The Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, has appealed to the Kambari, Fulani and Bargawa communities in Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas of Niger to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
Yohanna, who is also the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State Chapter, condemned the destruction of property, maiming and killing arising from recent clashes among the communities.
The Bishop made the appeal in a statement titled “Message of Peace and Unity”, made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Minna.
He urged the people not to take the law into their hands but to allow government and security agencies to address their grievances and restore lasting peace in the affected communities.
It would be recalled that recent clashes involving the Kambari, Fulani and Bargawa communities in parts of Borgu Emirate had reportedly claimed several lives and displaced hundreds of residents.
Yohanna noted that the affected communities had lived together peacefully for decades, urging them not to allow individuals who had infiltrated their communities to create division and disrupt the existing peaceful coexistence.
“As a major stakeholder and one who would choose peace and togetherness over crisis, I strongly appeal to all the tribes, including Kambari, Fulani and Bargawa, to remain calm and stop the fighting and killing.
“We have lived peacefully for decades, and I can only appeal to you all not to allow bad elements who have infiltrated our peaceful communities to cause disafection among us.
“I reject and condemn any form of crime, whether destruction, maiming or killing. Let us not take the law into our hands,” he said.
The Bishop called on the various communities to work closely with security agencies to identify and flush out criminal elements and informants responsible for fuelling the crisis, rather than turning against one another.
He also appealed to vigilante groups, youths and other stakeholders to sheathe their swords 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.
Yohanna further appealed to the Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Muhammed Hakiru Dantoro, to establish peace and conflict-resolution committees that would provide a platform for the different ethnic groups to dialogue, address their grievances and resolve disputes fairly.
He stressed that dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation remained critical to restoring sustainable peace and rebuilding confidence among the affected communities.
The cleric also commended President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger for their efforts toward strengthening security and restoring peace in Agwara and Borgu communities.
He urged all stakeholders, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, youths, community leaders and security agencies, to work together to prevent further escalation and ensure the protection of lives and property.
