Blame game will not help us, Kaigama tells Irigwe, Fulani

The Archbishop of Jos, Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama, yesterday said the blame game between Irigwe and Fulani communities over who started the violence in Bassa local government area of Plateau State was not helpful.

He said both sides must make a conscious effort to stop violent attacks even when provoked.

The Catholic Archbishop stressed the point during a meeting of religious and ethnic/community leaders of Irigwe and Fulani communities held at the Dialogue, Reconciliation and Peace (DREP) Centre, Kwang in Jos south.

“Talking is not the only solution, let us go home and implement all the solutions, all the harsh words and blame games will not help us, the issue of you started and I only reacted has to end,” he said.

The Archbishop urged community leaders from both sides to be seen as cordial adding that, “we know there are mischievous people that may not want peace but when they see the Ardo and the Irigwe community leader working together or visiting each other, it can help.”

Arising from the dialogue, the two groups released a joint communiqué where they agreed to continue dialogue and urged their leaders and youths to own up to their wrongs, seek forgiveness from one another and work towards building trust and confidence.

The two groups also agreed to continue to pray for peace in their communities and that DREP centre will organise a special prayer session on August 30th with both Christians, Muslims, women and youth as well as civil society groups.