Bishop Yohanna Begs Bargawa, Fulani, Kambari Tribes to End Attacks in Niger State

By YM Bina

Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna has appealed to various tribes in Agwara and Borgu local government areas to sheath their swords and put an end to the destruction, maiming and killing.

The Bishop made the appeal in a statement issued in Minna, following the recent clashes that have claimed dozens of lives and rendered hundreds homeless in Borgu Emirate of Niger state, saying “nobody should take the laws into their hands”.

He explained that the various tribes have lived together peacefully for decades, the Clergyman blamed the attacks on those who have infiltrated their communities from other countries.

Bishop Yohanna who is also the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger state chapter, in a statement titled: Message of Peace and Unity, made available to newsmen on Tuesday appealed to various tribes not take the law into their hands but allow the government to act.

Accordingly, he said “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 charged the people to work with security agents so as to weed out bad actors especially those working as informants rather than fighting each other.

While calling on vigilante groups, youths and the ethnic groups to sheath their swords, Bishop Yohanna appealed for calm saying, all grievances be channelled through the appropriate quarters.

The cleric then appealed to the Emir of Borgu, Alhahi Muhammed Hakiru Dantoro to set up peace and conflict resolution committees to help the different ethnic groups talk and solve problems fairly.

He however commended President Bola Tinubu and Governor Umaru Bago for their roles in ensuring security is beefed up in Agwara and Borgu communities.

It could be recalled that the clashes and killings between the Kambaris, Fulanis and Bargawa tribes have claimed many lives and rendered several homeless in the Borgu Emirate.