ACF blames community clashes for nation’s economic woes, threat to unity

Arewa leaders, under the aegis of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), have attributed communal clashes in the north and other parts of the country as being responsible for the declining economic growth and development of the country, with serious consequences on its unity and progress.

The ACF members were reacting to the fresh violence that engulfed communities in Kajuru Council of Kaduna State during the week, where about 30 people were killed and several others injured.

The ACF, in a statement issued yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, said: “Threats to our peace, as a people and as a region, have over years affected our peaceful coexistence, unity and socio-economic development.

“Nigerians must, therefore, come together and stop this unfortunate and condemnable carnage that does no one any good.”

Biu added: “Reprisal attacks are certainly not the best way to resolve disputes. ACF, therefore, calls upon the warring communities in Southern Kaduna and in other states to lay down their arms and embrace dialogue in resolving their disagreements.

“Leaders of the various communities should also play a greater role in ensuring that not only are peace and harmony restored in the affected areas, but also sustained.”

Besides, Biu noted further: “ACF is saddened with the spate of communal clashes in some parts of the north and in particular, the recent one in Kajuru, Kajuru Council of Kaduna State, where about 30 people were alleged to have been killed.

“The communal reprisal clash between farmers and herders over simple disagreement with consequent loss of lives and destruction of property is most unfortunate and condemnable.

“Communities that have lived together peacefully over the years should refrain from such avoidable violent conflicts that in most cases also destroy trust and harmony among communities, which is not helpful.

“ACF also commends the military and other security agencies for their prompt intervention in the Kajuru crisis and urge them to sustain surveillance in the area until normalcy is fully restored and fish out perpetrators of this heinous crime and be made to face the law, lest criminals continue to hide under ethnicity or religion to commit crimes and to serve as deterrence for future occurrence.”

ACF urged the Kaduna State Government to strengthen its peace building process by engaging the leaders of the affected communities in finding an endurable peace in the area.

The group commiserated with the victims of such violent clashes and appeal to the Kaduna State Government to provide rehabilitation materials to the affected communities.