The Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) on Tuesday convened a peace summit to evolve a roadmap for lasting peace in Southern Kaduna.
The Executive-Secretary of NCPC, Rev. Yakubu Pam, who spoke at the summit in Kafanchan, called on the warring parties to take ownership of the peace initiative in the area.
Pam said the commission had provided a platform for dialogue among the communities to resolve their differences.
“Anytime I hear of killings, banditry anywhere in the world it brings me vision of catastrophy, pains, trauma and agony that God’s creation are subjected to.
“Our mission here is to facilitate a peace process through dialogue and negotiations as well as enhancing participation and cooperation among all stakeholders.
“This is intended to bring out those critical salient differences that you believe are the root causes of this conflict and for you to proffer means of resolving them.
“By the positions you occupy in your various communities, we believe you have capacity to influence decisions among your subjects and others.”
According to him, the crisis in Southern Kaduna should be seen as a problem that has solution and not a war that must be won.
The NCPC boss expressed hope that the outcome of the summit would bring about the reenactment of love among the different ethnic nationalities in the region.
He thanked Gov. Nasir El-Rufai for giving NCPC the support to convene the summit, noting that the governor had promised to endorse agreements reached.
The former Chief of Defence staff, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (rtd) said the recent crisis predated the current administration and appealed to the governor to ensure that it was resolved during his tenure.
“I want to appeal, particularly to our governor that truly the violence in Kaduna did not start today and is older than many of us.
“But how does he know that he is not the one God has decided to come and end this violence.
“Why doesn’t he take a chance and write his name in history so that what many people have failed to do by the grace of God he could do it,” he added.
Agwai, who was represented by Mr Dare Akau, maintained that the government needed to do more in its primary responsibility of protecting lives and property.
Also, the Secretary-General of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) in Kaduna State, Ibrahim Kufena, called for forgiveness from all sides.
Kufena noted that it would take the support and cooperation of all relevant stakeholders for peace to be restored in the area.
Meanwhile, a Security and Conflict consultant, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, has implored participants to be frank in their submissions as only then could a solution be found.
Bogoro, also Executive-Secretary of TETFUND, advocated for more Federal and State presence in Southern Kaduna.
NAN reports that the peace summit with the theme: De-escalating Violence in Southern Kaduna, is being attended by all relevant stakeholders in the area.
