The Kaduna State Peace Commission (KSPC) has declared 2024 as a year of peace, free from all forms of violence.
Dr. Sale Momale, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of KSPC, made this announcement during the Internal Reflections Meeting organized by the commission in collaboration with the US Institute of Peace (USIP) and facilitated by the AID Foundation in Kaduna.
“There has been no record of conflict between herders and farmers, nor any politically-induced violence, even during the local government and by-elections in the state,” Momale said. “We have also seen no violent confrontations related to chieftaincy disputes or boundary issues.”
He expressed gratitude to the people of Kaduna State and the various stakeholders for their hard work in making this peaceful year a reality. “We salute and appreciate the people of Kaduna State for making this possible, including our various stakeholders who have worked very hard to make this a practical reality.”
However, Momale pointed out that the major challenge to peace and security is the rise of criminal groups and gangs, which have become a national and regional issue, with the North-West geopolitical zone being the hardest hit. “The worst-affected states are Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, and Niger, which are grappling with criminal activities from bandits and other militant groups.”
Despite these challenges, he stated that the commission has been in constant dialogue with both the state and federal governments, expressing hope that the issues would soon be addressed.
He called on faith-based organizations, NGOs, and the Network of Peace Journalists (NPJ) to collaborate with the commission in advocating for an end to banditry in the state.
Momale also commended the government’s efforts in restoring peace in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area and suggested that similar initiatives should be extended to other LGAs affected by banditry.
