Following renewed attacks in Kagoro Chiefdom, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, the popular annual festival that normally marks the start of the New Year in the area has been replaced by a prayer summit.
The prayer summit which was organized by the chiefdom in collaboration with a non-governmental organization Global Peace Foundation, Nigeria, aimed to pray for the land, its people and the repose of the souls of those killed during the attacks, as well as a put an end to the barbarian attacks.
Speaking earlier at his palace in Kagoro, Kagoro Chief Dr. Ufuwai Bonet said his people now live in fear as attackers have vowed to invade their communities again.
He expressed concern about the motives of the attackers, even as he said their doors were wide open to discuss any grievances they had, rather than take the law into their own hands.
The supreme ruler called on security agencies to investigate and arrest the perpetrators with the aim of holding them accountable.
However, Dr. Bonet praised the Global Peace Foundation for agreeing to partner with the chiefdom to bring lasting peace to the area and hoped that the New Year would bring a new lease of life for the people.
In a comment during the prayer summit, Global Peace Foundation country director Rev. John Hayab said the program was organized to embarrass the enemy and encourage people not to lose hope in the search for lasting peace. .
He explained that the foundation, which is a non-sectarian, non-partisan, and non-profit organization, is working with the community to promote an innovative, values-based approach to peacebuilding, guided by the vision of one family under God. .
In his commentary, the chieftaincy Peace Committee Chairman, Mr. Sule Kambai, thanked the people for agreeing to come out en masse to pray for the land, despite recent attacks in the area that resulted in the death of many souls.
the punch reports that the occasion, which was themed ‘Looking to God in Times of Trouble’, drew participants from both the Christian and Muslim faiths.
Meanwhile, House Minority Whip Mr. Gideon Gwani has called on the government to expedite the delivery of relief materials to victims affected by new attacks in his constituency.
Speaking on the sidelines of a prayer summit held in Kagoro on Sunday, the lawmaker, who represents the Kaura constituency in the National Assembly, also called on the government to increase security presence in the area to prevent further attacks.
He said that although the New Year celebrations in the area were met with mixed feelings, people should not completely lose hope, but should continue to monitor security at all times and protect their land.
Gwani also called on security agencies to be more proactive in preventing attacks instead of being reactive.
He also called for the arrest of the perpetrators of the recent attacks on Kagoro Chiefdom and other parts of southern Kaduna so that the perpetrators face the wrath of the law.
He urged people to make sure they get their permanent voter cards so they can actively participate in choosing those who will run their affairs during the upcoming general election.
