Niger communal clash: Death toll hits 30, Bishop calls for ceasefire

From John Adams, Minna

The death toll from the communal clash involving Kambari, Fulani and Bargawa communities in Agwara and Borgu Local Government, Niger State has risen to about 30.

The Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who is also the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, has appealed to the warring communities to immediately sheath their swords and embrace peace.

The violence, reportedly triggered by a land dispute, has also resulted in the destruction of property and displacement of an unspecified number of residents, raising fears of further escalation in the affected communities.

Bishop Yohanna made the appeal in a statement titled, “Message of Peace and Unity,” issued yesterday. He urged members of the Kambari, Fulani and Bargawa communities to stop the fighting and allow the government and security agencies to address their grievances, warning them against taking the law into their own hands.

“As a major stakeholder and one who would choose peace and togetherness over crisis, I strongly appeal to all the tribes, which include Kambari, Fulani and Bargawa, to remain calm and stop the fighting and killing,” he said.

The bishop noted that the affected communities had coexisted peacefully for decades, attributing the recent crisis partly to the activities of individuals who allegedly infiltrated the communities from neighbouring countries.

“We have lived peacefully for decades and I can only appeal to you all not to allow the bad eggs who have infiltrated our peaceful communities to cause disaffection amongst us,” he said.

Yohanna condemned the destruction of property, maiming and killing of innocent residents, urging the communities to work with security agencies to identify and flush out criminal elements allegedly fuelling the crisis.

“I reject and condemn any form of crime, either by destruction, maiming or killing. Let us not take the law into our hands,” he said.

He also appealed to vigilante groups, youths and community leaders to halt further hostilities and channel their grievances through the appropriate authorities.

The bishop urged the warring parties to embrace dialogue, expressing confidence that the government, security agencies and other stakeholders could restore lasting peace to the affected communities.

He further appealed to the Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Muhammed Hakiru Dantoro, to establish peace and conflict-resolution committees that would provide a platform for the various ethnic groups to engage in dialogue and resolve their differences.

Yohanna commended President Bola Tinubu and Niger State Governor Umaru Bago for steps taken to strengthen security in Agwara and Borgu, while urging all stakeholders to support efforts aimed at preventing further bloodshed.