TheCable

Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state, has commended the peace initiative among warring ethnic groups in Zangon Kataf local government area of the state.

The Atyap, Hausa and Fulani communities in southern Kaduna had signed a peace agreement at a reconciliation summit on Saturday after years of recurring violence that has led to the loss of lives and properties.

Speaking on Tuesday when a delegation from Atyap chiefdom, led by Dominic Gambo, the Agwatyap, paid him a courtesy visit at the government house, Kaduna, el-Rufai urged the communities to abide by the resolutions of the peace summit.

The governor also commended the traditional ruler for bringing together the diverse communities in his domain to begin the rebuilding of trust and restoration of peace.

“Every person of goodwill should support the efforts of the Atyap Chiefdom to bring its communities together and stop the bloodshed and destruction of property,” el-Rufai said.

“Everyone should reject the temptation to take laws into their hands and instead submit all grievances to the lawful authorities.

“The work of peace is often hard, but it is an obligation to work always for preserving human life, liberty and livelihoods.

“This strong community rapprochement will help to complement security efforts to restore law and order and advance towards sustainable peace.

“This administration has been clear and insistent since 2015 that the ultimate guarantee of peace is the willingness of communities to live in peace and harmony, and their resolve to settle all differences by strictly lawful means.”