Northern Governors to Focus on Root Causes of Conflicts in the Region
By ALEX UANGBAOJE, Kaduna
Northern States Governors’ Forum, has said that, henceforth, she would focus on the root causes of all conflicts in their region especially the recent ones in Taraba and Kaduna States.
Chairman of the forum, Kashim Shettima, Governor Of Borno State, made this known in Kaduna on Thursday at the opening of the forum’s meeting.
According to him, “in the last few days, Taraba and Kaduna States have again experienced spates of deadly and destructive communal clashes which culminated in the loss of many lives and destruction of millions of naira worth of property.
Although the security agencies have responded positively and are now on top of the situation, we, as a Forum, need to pay particular attention to the root causes of such conflicts and their seemingly intractable nature with an open mind and from an unbiased perspective, in order to arrive at comprehensive means of addressing them. We should, in the process, also avoid inputting political, ethnic or religious colorations to the conflict.”
Shettima, added that, “top on the agenda of today’s meeting is the issue of the lingering inter-communal crisis in various parts of the region, which in recent times, appear to be escalating with deadly and destructive consequences such as the conflicts between farmers and herdsmen.
“As elected leaders, it is our primary responsibility to take a hard and critical look at these conflicts and come up with implementable ways and means of addressing them squarely. It is also critically important, as a long term measure, device viable strategies to forestall all forms of security challenges, that may likely erupt in the future.
“However, I need to emphasize that whatever resolutions we may arrive at, should be without prejudice to the various commendable and comprehensive measures being put in place by the Federal Government in addressing the security challenges; especially the recent abduction of the Dapchi School Girls.
“We appreciate and commend the efforts being made by President Muhammadu Buhari in the Dapchi crisis by ensuring the deployment of all necessary security personnel and equipment towards the rescue of the abducted girls. Our prayers and commiseration goes to the Government and people of Yobe State as well as the families of the victims over the sad and unfortunate incident.
