From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
Days after the authorities in Kaduna State in collaboration with the office of National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu entered a peace pact with bandits in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, many repentant bandits in Birnin Gwari Emirate, Buruku, and at Sabon Birni community have sought forgiveness for the atrocities they have committed and assured Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State and the NSA that they would be law-abiding citizens in the future.
They, however, said they had lived solitary lives in the forests, divorced from normal life for over a decade, and would therefore be happy if the government gave them a sense of belonging and allowed their children to attend schools.
A Fulani elder who claimed to be a representative of bandit kingpin, Jan Bross and a Fulani community leader, Ardo, said it was time for all Fulani leaders across the federation to talk to their subjects and convince them to fully embrace the peace process.
Speaking to the media in Birnin Gwari, he said, “They should follow the Kaduna example and lay down arms.”
“We are grateful for this peace pact and shall continue to pray for its sustainability. Thank you government,” he said.
The Chairman of Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area, Hon.Salisu Isa, could not hide his excitement as the Local Government headquarters was bustling with activities again after a very long time of uncertainty due to attacks by bandits and other criminal elements.
During the crisis period, even the Local Council was moved to Kaduna, as bandits had vandalized critical assets and infrastructures in Birnin-Gwari. All banks were razed, the post office destroyed, and schools vandalized. Only the military and other security forces could remain to stop the criminals from completely annexing the historic town that has carved a niche as a major gateway to the Southwestern part of Nigeria.
According to the Local Council boss, the peace pact was reached due to persistent prayers to Almighty Allah.
“I express my gratitude to my boss, our Governor, Senator Uba Sani, and the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, for this initiative, the Emir, LG staff, the Mallam,s, and all others, ” he said.
He said to sustain and maintain the peace accord, the council inaugurated a Peace and Reconciliation Committee that meets regularly, which comprised key stakeholders from the government, the Hausa and Fulani communities, and others.
Hon. Isa called on interested investors in agriculture, to use the opportunity and key into the agric sector, as Birnin-Gwari had the potential of feeding the entire North with maize and other crops.
“Other places should emulate Birnin-Gwari and come up with the peace pact, ” he advised.
He said the public should continue to pray for Birnin-Gwari to restore its past glory and take the path for continued growth and development.
Alhaji Ibrahim Bokolo, a repentant bandit, said the crisis made him and his family relocate to neighboring Niger state. Now that he had returned to Kaduna State, he appealed for more understanding, especially from local vigilantes, and cautioned troublemakers to desist from any act that could breach the peace pact.
Another Fulani chieftain, Alhaji Isa, said they would listen to the government and abide by the peace pact.
He called on the government to check the activities of some vigilante members in neighboring Zara, Gidigodi in Niger state, who were allegedly stopping the free movement of trucks loaded with cattle.
The Birnin Gwari LG boss had earlier assured that they would liaise with the authorities in Niger state over the matter.
Muhammadu Lawali, a repentant bandit, assured that the current peace pact was different from previous ones, as both parties had genuine intentions. He prayed for forgiveness and encouraged the Fulani and Hausa to show more love to one another.
According to him,” We now have respite; we can move freely and intermingle with people from different parts of the community.
This is a clear departure from the recent past, we were confined to the bush and only saw the town from afar. That was how I lived for the past 7 years. We thank Almighty Allah and the authorities for this peace pact,” he said.
Suleiman Yes Power, another repentant bandit who was full of smiles, was delighted to have sold his cow at the Birnin Gwari cattle market, something he could not do in the previous years.
While displaying a wad of money, he prayed for the peace pact to be sustained so that the town would be full of economic activities, attracting people from far and near. He assured that, on their part, they would continue to honor and respect the pact.
The Sarkin Zango Birnin Gwari, Hambali Muhammad, who was in charge of the cattle market, said the cattle market has not been operational for over 10 years due to banditry.
He commended the effort of the Federal and State authorities, the Emir of Birnin Gwari, the Local Government, and other stakeholders who ensured that the peace pact saw the light of day.
“Today, over 50 trucks loaded with livestock left for different parts of this country. The market is back on track. All praises to Almighty Allah, ” he said.
At the grains market, 25-year-old Yusuf Ibrahim Jonga said one of the benefits of the peace pact was that they now have contact with the Fulani, unlike before.
“We now communicate with the Fulani, they tell us their grudges and we find ways to resolve issues.”
“Now, the Birnin-Gwari- Lagos Road is accessible 24 hours, and vehicles are now plying the road comfortably, without any fear of attack by bandits, unlike before. Economic activity has picked up. Farmers have started clearing farmlands ahead of the next planting season.”
“I lost 2 brothers during the crisis, and my relatives in the Randagi area were dislodged. But now we are grateful to Almighty Allah for this peace pact, ” he said.
Another farmer, Malam Mustapha said nothing could be more enjoyable than the freedom to move and interact
“We see them now, they see us too. The Fulani in the bush, and we, the Hausa, in the town. We are now together enjoying peace and harmony, ” he said.
“Now, we can go to where we couldn’t go before, during the crisis period. We buy and sell, Alhamdulillah, “he said.
“There are places in the forest where we could not plant crops. This year we are going to cultivate in these forests,” he said.
He called on the people to feel free and visit the Birnin-Gwari grains market, a market he said had, in the past, attracted buyers from neighboring Niger, Chad, and Cameron.
At the Buruku market, the situation was peaceful and calm, with buying and selling going on, under the careful watch of market and LG officials.
A local trader said over 100 trucks departed the market full of farm produce, to different parts of the country.
The Sabon Birni community near the Kaduna International Airport, which was a no-go area due to banditry weeks ago, was in a festive mood on Sunday as people from far and near trooped to the market.
The District Head of the community was full of praise for Governor Uba Sani and NSA Ribadu, calling on the government to rebuild infrastructures in the community, like schools and others, which were affected during the crisis period.
The coordinator of the peace trip and the Dan Masanin Birnin Gwari, Zubairu Idris AbdulRauf, was optimistic that ultimate peace would return in the entire state and beyond.
From Birnin Gwari, Buruku, Sabon Birni Daji, Kidandan, and Giwa, bandits have keyed into the process, and life returned to normal.
Idris AbdulRauf said the Kaduna peace pact, as exemplified by the Governor Uba Sani administration, through the adoption and application of a kinetic approach, would lead to the continuation of peace and a new lease of life for the people.
