….Emir To Lead Peace Panel As Bago Sets up Committee
The Niger State Government has imposed a curfew on some communities in Rafi Local Government Area following renewed communal clashes that claimed lives and property.
Governor Umaru Bago announced the measure during a visit to Tashar Bako, where clashes between Kamuku and Fulani communities occurred. He directed security agencies to deploy all available assets to the affected areas to restore peace and prevent further breakdown of law and order.
Represented by his deputy, Mr Yakubu Garba, the governor said preliminary findings indicated the violence, which has claimed about 80 lives, stemmed from a farming dispute.
He directed security agencies to activate all security architecture in the affected areas and adopt both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to contain the crisis and prevent escalation.
Bago also directed the Emir of Kagara, Alhaji Ahmad Garba-Gunna, to constitute a Peace and Reconciliation Committee to facilitate dialogue, build trust and promote lasting peace among the affected communities.
The governor appealed to social media users and influencers to refrain from circulating inflammatory or unverified information capable of worsening the security situation.
He assured residents that the state government would implement measures to prevent a recurrence and urged the feuding communities to embrace peace. “Both communities have lived together harmoniously for generations and should not allow the actions of a few individuals to undermine their relationship,” he said.
The Emir of Kagara commended the state government and security agencies for their swift response. He urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security personnel, while cautioning politicians against politicising the incident.
Garba-Gunna stressed that the conflict should not be interpreted as an ethnic dispute between the Kamuku and Fulani, and called on security agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible for the violence.
During the visit, the deputy governor also met displaced Kamuku victims taking refuge at Tegina Primary School and Fulani victims sheltered at Gimi Primary School.
