From: BillyGraham Abel, Yola
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Barr. Boss Mustapha, has called on the Bwatiye and Fulani communities in Adamawa State to sheathe their swords and work towards a sustainable peace which, he said, was a critical factor for meaningful development in the state.
The SGF made the call while on a condolence visit to the Hama Bachama, Hama Batta and the Fulani communities in Numan, Demsa and Yola, respectively.
Mustapha, while speaking at the palace of Hama Bachama and Hama Batta, condoled the monarchs over the losses in their communities as a result of a communal clash and also enjoined the traditional rulers to deploy the power of their good office to strengthen the fabrics of peace in their communities and in the state at large.
He said, “No meaningful development takes place in an atmosphere of conflict and chaos.
“We have been living in peace with one another for a very long time in an era that was deemed ‘primitive’, I don’t see why we should resort to fighting in an era that is called a time of civilisation.
“No one in this state has lived harmoniously with the Fulani people like the Bachama person, so let’s find a way to promote peace among our people and go back to the way we used to be.
“I have passed the same message to the Fulani community and I trust peace will soon return to this area.
“The Federal Government is working to ensure a lasting peace in the country and as a son of this community, I want us to ensure that everyone in leadership position works towards peaceful co-existence.
“Christmas time is a season of peace and great joy, let that spirit guide you to spread peace to everyone in the state.” he told the manarchs.
Mustapha, also speaking at Christmas carol organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) later in the day, told the Christian community in the state that Christmas has always been about love and goodwill and that every true believer would extend that love to their neighbours unconditionally.
He continued, “In spite of our weaknesses and limitations, God’s love never fails, so our love should never fail towards people around us.
“The most effective means of demonstrating Christ’s love is by physical demonstration and action of love.”
Quoting from the gospel of Luke 2:10, the SGF said the message of Christmas is a news of great joy to all people and that is the message Christians should spread all year round.”
Speaking at the palace of the Hama Batta, the Director General of NEMA, Engr Mustapha Inusa Maihaja Said, NEMA has a responsibility to respond to crisis in a timely and effective manner so as to avoid unnecessary loss of lives.
He decried the situation of the crisis in Numan and assures the public that the agency is committed to supporting Nigerians in emergency situation in accordance with international best practices in emergency situations.
He said, ”Since the Numan crisis began, this is the third time NEMA has brought relief materials to the area and will continue to do so until as many as need help are reached.”
While receiving Mustapha, the Hama Bachama, HRM Honest Irmiya, congratulated him on his appointment as the SGF, saying he is the most competent person God deems fit to occupy the office at this time.
Speaking on the crisis in Numan, the Hama BAchama said, “Numan would not have assumed the cosmopolitan status it has today if it was driven by sentiments and tribal bias.
The Bwatiye monarch said, “we need a Holistic solution to the situation from the Federal Government.
“This is not the time to play politics with an issue so big as this that has raised serious concerns bordering on the national security of the country.
“We have seen foreign Mercenaries from all over the world among the casualties in this conflict with their ID cards on them and that is an issue that should worry every Nigerian.”
The monarch however explained that the local fulani’s were not the perpetrators of the killing in Numan explaining that they are also worried about the incident.
He notes that the giving of a religious colouration to the conflict is a factor that is fueling the conflict.
The Hama Batta, HRM Alhamdu Gladstone while responding to the SGF’s call for peace laments that this is the third time that a major security incident is happening in his domain.
“It happened in Kodomun, Kwayine and now in Dong and Lawaru and all of these towns are Bachama communities.”
He called on the Federal Government to take a firm stand on the crisis and ensure that the reports of the panel constituted by the government on previous killings in his domain were implemented.