NOA, other stakeholders parley on ways to tackle rise in violent activities in Bauchi

The National Orientation Agency (NOA), Community and religious leaders in Bauchi State have expressed concern over the resurgence of banditry and violence by thugs known as “Sara-Suka.’’

The stakeholders expressed the concern at the flag- off campaign of voter and citizenship sensitisation organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) with the theme: “Post-Election Peace Building,” held at the Federal Secretariat complex, Bauchi.

In his welcome address, the State Director of NOA, Alhaji Nuru Yusuf Kobi, said that the sensitisation programme was organised to engage all stakeholders to find ways of addressing post-election violence and other issues.

He said that the programme was also aimed at supporting citizens to build peace and prevent violence.

Kobi, therefore, called on political leaders and other stakeholders to ensure commitment to non-violence through process and existing legal means to ensure peace and resolve disputes.

He also warned against the menace of spreading rumours, hate speeches and fake news through social and conventional media.

The NOA Director noted that the present challenges necessitated the need to organise the sensitisation campaign across the state to build peace among the people.

In a remark,Chairman, Peace and Reconciliation Committee in Bakaro community in Bauchi Metropolis, Mallam Jibrin Mohammed, warned that the resurgence of violent youth activities threatens peace and security in the state.

He said that, although the 2019 elections were conducted peacefully, many cases of attacks and counter attacks were recorded in many parts of the state after the elections.

He lamented that many of the attacks were not even connected to the elections but criminality by spoilt youths.

Mohammed said that, the attacks were being carried by youths who are engaged in drugs and other substances abuse.

He therefore called on relevant authorities and other stakeholders to put more efforts in tackling the menace of youths violence and other security threats in various communities.

In a remark, the Chairman Civil Society Organisations in Bauchi State, Jinjiri Garba said that voters in the state have shown enough maturity during the 2019 general elections as a result of massive voter education campaigns conducted by NOA and INEC.

In his address, the representative of the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, ACP Aliyu Sani Omolum disclosed that the police arrested about 150 youths for various acts of violence during the just concluded elections.

He appealed to people of the state to provide the police with useful information about any violent activity or any breach of peace in any part of the state.

In a key note address, the Chairman of the occasion, District Head of Bauchi, Alhaji Nuru Adamu Jumba commended NOA for organizing the campaign.