MEETING OF RELIGIOUS AND ETHNIC/COMMUNITY LEADERS OF IRIGWE AND FULANI COMMUNITIES OF BASSA L.G.A OF PLATEAU STATE, HELD AT THE DIALOGUE, RECONCILIATION AND PEACE (DREP) CENTRE, KWANG, JOS SOUTH ON MONDAY 4TH JUNE, 2018.
Arising from a dialogue and combined consultative meeting of religious and ethnic/community leaders held on Monday 4th June, 2018. We religious and community leaders, of Irigwe and Fulani communities of Bassa L.G.A of Plateau State, at the Dialogue, Reconciliation and Peace Centre (DREP), Jos, have reached the following agreements:
We observe with dismay that despite the effort of leaders here, acts of criminality have not only continued, but escalated in many communities, such as killing of innocent people, herds of cattle in large numbers, destruction of crops, removal of the roofs of schools and Churches. This has angered our youths and made peace impossible. It also made it impossible for HRH Brra Nggwe Rigwe to convene a peace meeting with both Irigwe and Fulani communities in His palace. While we caution our youths against retaliation, we call on elders to caution their youths against such barbaric acts of killings and destruction.

We have observed that some elders have continued to make unguided and provocative comments that can cause more violence. We therefore urge our elders to be circumspect and avoid making such provocative statements. We also urge our two communities to stop the blame game and rumour mongering between us. If we cannot say anything positive, it is better we kept quiet for the sake of peace.
We agree that despite the continued killings and destructions in our communities, we still strongly believe in the importance and need for dialogue. Dialogue is the way forward and we must believe in, and encourage it.
We observe that there is growing suspicion and distrust between the Irigwe and Fulani communities. This is worsened by accusations and counter accusations against each other and our inability to own up to our wrong doings. We urge the leaders of the two communities and their youths to own up to their wrong doings, seek forgiveness from one another and work together towards building trust and confidence between the two communities.

We urge our communities to be cautious of conflict merchants, who benefit from our division and hatred for one another by knocking our heads and inciting us to fight one another, while they watch from a distance as we continue to destroy ourselves.
We still wish to reiterate the urgent need for the formation of a joint vigilante of Irigwe and Fulani to secure our communities.
We observe with regret that the acts of barbarism are not only restricted to killings and destructions, but also the raping of women and young girls, either in the farms or other vulnerable places.
Finally, we have all agreed that we go back and continue to pray and sue for peace in our communities and that DREP Centre will organize a special prayer session on Thursday 30th August 2018 with both the Christian/Fulani men, women, youths and civil society organizations in participation.

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Irigwe and Fulani communities of Bassa LGA dialogues towards peace