From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
After six months of discreet negotiations, the Kaduna Peace Model was brokered by Governor Uba Sani’s administration, and has been in effect for 10 months, sustaining peace in the Birnin Gwari Emirate and the surrounding areas.
A visit to the area by this correspondent revealed that the peace agreement with bandits leaders has brought a mix of joy and rekindled hopes to Birnin Gwari, a town besieged by years of banditry, kidnapping, and cattle rustling.
The peace agreement allows bandits to access local markets and primary healthcare centers without being challenged, in exchange for stopping levies, taxes, kidnapping, and crop destruction.
The District Head of Kuyello, Yusuf Abubakar, while speaking at a stakeholders meeting today, noted that his domain has witnessed peaceful coexistence among the Fulani and Hausa communities, although concerns about pockets of criminal activities remain.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Peace Dialogue Group, Mallam Musa Yusuf, admonished residents to work with relevant agencies to sustain the peaceful coexistence, emphasizing the crucial role residents play in maintaining the peace accord.
Similarly, the Chief of Staff to the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Sani Kila, expressed excitement over the return of peace to Birnin Gwari, citing increased traffic flow as a testament to better days ahead.
He surmised that the Kaduna State Government established the Peace Dialogue Group, which has been tirelessly engaging stakeholders to build bridges of trust and sustain the peace.
The peace agreement has brought a sense of relief and hope to the people of Birnin Gwari, who had been displaced, livelihoods disrupted, and lived in fear of insecurity.
He assured that the State Government fulfill its part of the promise as enshrined in the peace accord, with Governor Uba Sani committed to being fair to all parties: farmers, herders, and traders, to achieve lasting peace and development in the state
The Emir of Birnin Gwari, Zubair Jibril MaiGwari II, welcomed the peace agreement, noting that it took six months to finalize and has sustained peace in the emirate for the past 10 months.
Abubakar Uban Jambrose, a
representative of the repentant bandits, urged Governor Sani to get in touch with governors of neighboring states to adopt the peace model.
