Southern Kaduna: 8 districts sign peace deal

No fewer than eight districts in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State yesterday signed deals to end hostilities in their locality.

The agreement followed months of interaction and negotiation spearheaded by Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Nigeria, an NGO.

The districts include Dangoma, Goska, Ambam, Bakin Kogi, Unguwar Fari, Unguwar Baki and Gerti.

After deliberations, the eight districts agreed to forgive one another and directed all farmers and herders to go about their normal activities. They also agreed to form very close collaborations to attain pre-conflict relationship while encouraging their all critical stakeholders resident outside the chiefdom to honour the development.

The Country Director, Global Peace Foundation Nigeria, Mr John Oko, said the organisation was happy with the outcome.

“We shall continue to monitor the progress and work with the communities to ensure sustainable peace returns,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the eight districts had made sad headlines since December 2016 after series of violence in their communities in the infamous southern Kaduna killings.

Earlier, Oko recalled that crises in the area had led to so many deaths and displacement with attendant miseries on survivors, and that the GPF initiated the peace deal by meetings with key stakeholders within and outside the area.

He said the Foundation met separately with key stakeholders such as Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), among others.

“The peace processes brought about many other dialogue meetings within the chiefdom and resulted in both parties agreeing to sheath their swords and come to this reconciliation meeting at Unguwar Fari, the Kaninkon Chiefdom Headquarters today,” Oko said.