Journalists ask Buhari to ‘mop up’ arms in southern Kaduna

Journalists for Democratic Rights (JODER), a Nigerian media rights group, says the unpleasant situation in southern Kaduna has the potential of “throwing the entire country into a faith-induced mayhem”.

In a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, the group recommended the launch of an intensive campaign aimed at mopping up arms in the hands of non-state actors across the country.

It also urged the president to create time to visit southern Kaduna, saying such a step will boost the dwindling trust in his government.

JODER counseled Buhari to appeal to northern leaders to organise  an all embracing ethnic and religious conference to deal with the festering crisis in the region.

Adewale Adeoye, executive director of JODER, said it was obvious that the political authorities in Kaduna state do not enjoy the trust and confidence of the disputants in the conflict, which necessitates the need for a third party to intervene.

“The Southern Kaduna crisis is just a metaphor for more crisis that may occur in the nearest future,” read the letter signed by.

“The moral authority of the mediating parties is very weak. There is deep suspicion by all the parties that the government sponsored mediators will not be able to resolve the deep-seated problems.

“One major solution is for the government to embark on a massive campaign to mop up arms in the hands of non-state actors, this should be backed by amnesty for those who hand over their arms in the first three weeks. The government should follow this task by encouraging people to hand over their illegally procured arms with barter for amnesty.

“The most frightening aspect is the international dimension to the crisis. A party in the dispute has succeeded in luring foreign interests whose primary motive is the continuation of the crisis instead of assisting in looking for a peaceful solution.

“The best that should happen is for all the state governors irrespective of political or religious affiliation, Christian and Muslim groups across the north to initiate a peace process that will bring together all the parties concerned for a peaceful resolution of the lingering feud. If this is not done on time, the possibility of chain solidarity reactions in Kaduna and outside Kaduna state is almost imminent.”

JODER urged Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to put together a working group of experts drawn from “ethnic, labour, religious” groups from across the country and from the international community to examine the reports of the past national conferences, including the Henry Willink commission of inquiry.

“If the government is courageous enough to do this, peace is certain to return and threats to peaceful communities will likely subside,” it said.