By Lawal A. Dogara
Kaduna State Government has organized a two-day retreat for traditional rulers from all parts of the state, to enhance their capacities in dealing with emerging security challenges.
The retreat came as security situation in Southern part of the state deteriorated because just few days back some gunmen killed scores of villagers.
According to the State Government, it’s sad that some persons find pleasure in taking human lives without justification.
Speaking while declaring the retreat open, the state Governor, Dr. Mukhtar Ramalan Yero decried the dangerous trend of wanton destruction of life and property in the state in particular and the nation at large.
He said it is time to halt the ugly situation through collaborative efforts of stakeholders at all levels.
“We need to know why people are now killing fellow human beings the way they kill ants. People talk about differences in tribe or religion as the cause of what is happening, but we have all these differences in the past and we lived in peace. So why can’t we live in peace now, we need to find out what has gone wrong.
He also expressed the need for people to fear God, adding that may be it is because people have deviated from the path of the Almighty God and if that is the case they have to go back and seek for His forgiveness first.
He called on traditional rulers to avoid being partisan saying as leaders of all, their role is critical in the efforts of building lasting peace and security.
“Dialogue is the only answer, we need to dialogue in order to understand with one another. Like I have said there is no amount of guns or security that can guarantee peace, it is only through dialogue and understanding,” Governor Yero said.
He also said a similar retreat will soon be held for religious leaders in the state as a way of reminding them on the need to promote peaceful coexistence through their preachings and sermons.
On the recent attacks on three communities in Kaura Local Government Area, Governor Yero said the State Government will assist with rebuilding burnt houses in the affected villages so as to hasten the rehabilitation process as well as return to normalcy.
He said Government is also working with relevant security agencies in a bid to increase security presence in the area.
He urged participants at the retreat to concentrate on papers to be delivered by resource persons drawn from security agencies and experts adding that “don’t leave anything, you should try to find solutions to this problems because I believe that if we have lived peacefully in the past, we can continue to coexist peacefully irrespective of our diversity.
