Group identifies major causes of violence
Stakeholders have called on the government to take immediate steps in tackling the underlying causes of conflict in the Middle Belt region.

They also called for the promotion of justice and unity among the diverse communities.

The stakeholders made the calls at the News Central Middle Belt Town Hall meeting with the theme, “One Middle Belt, One Voice: From Conflict to Action and Justice.”

The meeting, which was held in Jos, brought together relevant agencies, security personnel, victims of conflict, and concerned stakeholders.

It also convened community leaders and stakeholders to discuss pressing issues affecting the region, with a focus on conflict resolution and peace-building.

Speaking at the town hall, a participant, Zachary Gundu, emphasised the importance of peaceful coexistence, stating that no group has the right to claim land or livelihoods at the expense of others.

His remarks highlighted the need for mutual respect and recognition of rights among all communities.

Another participant, Manneseh Zugumtun, addressed the ongoing conflict in Mangu, accusing the Fulani community of fuelling the unrest.

He urged the government to intervene swiftly to prevent further violence and restore peace to the area.

In a powerful call for impartial justice, El-Buba, a Fulani indigene, stressed that killers should be held accountable regardless of their tribe or ethnicity. He appealed to the government to treat all perpetrators equally under the law to ensure lasting peace.

In a similar vein, the Partnership Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) has identified poor governance, poverty, inequality, and lack of community resilience in the North West as the major factors fuelling insecurity in the region and other parts of the country.

Chairman of the National Steering Committee of the group, Jaye Gaskiya, and the National Coordinator of the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), Geneva, Yetunde Adegoke, made the submissions while addressing newsmen yesterday in Kaduna at the end of a one-day Media Engagement on Promoting PCVE and Stakeholders’ Initiatives in the North-West.

The roundtable discussion has as its theme: “Amplifying voices for peace: media partnerships in PCVE and resilience building.”