Clerics urge FG, Kaduna Govt. to find lasting solution

Bagobiri made the call in a statement during a visit by Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama who led a delegation of the Bishops Conference on an official visit to the diocese, recently.

The statement was signed by Rev Fr. Chris Anyanwu, Director of Communications, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.

Also, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), urged the Federal Government to be more proactive in resolving crisis in the country.

Bishop Bagobiri explained the circumstances responsible for the persistent crisis in the area.

He said that the Kanfanchan and Southern Kaduna people had lived peacefully and also noted that the crisis persisted because some herdsmen constantly provoked the people.

“It is important to put on record that the insecurity situation we experience as a Diocese in Kafanchan and Southern Kaduna has not stopped despite the presence of Security Agents.

“The crisis here has persisted because of the way and manner the Federal and State governments, as well as the Security Agents are handling it.

"Many of us are disappointed that is why they are fast losing the support and trust of the people.

“The root cause of this crisis is the institutionalization of what can be regarded as structural injustice,” Most Rev Joseph Bagobiri stated.

“Perhap the only solution out of the present predicament was the creation of another state out of the present Kaduna comprising mainly of Southern Kaduna,” he said.

Kaigama decried the wanton destruction of human lives and properties and the lukewarm attitude of both the Federal and State Governments in addressing the situation in Southern Kaduna.

“We appeal to the government to be more proactive in handling the matters of security of its citizens and to look into the root causes of persistent crisis in parts of the country.

“Since the beginning of the crisis in Southern Kaduna, you have displayed good spirit of love. You have equally remained resilient even in the face of challenges and difficulties.

“We are particularly saddened by the constant and wanton destruction of lives and property in Southern Kaduna.

“In our plenary sessions the CBCN and other fora have expressed our views and condemned this mayhem that had become a common feature in Nigeria,’’ he said.

Kaigama expressed concern on the unending crisis in the country, saying “First, it was Southern Kaduna, recently, it was Zaki-Biam in Benue and Ile-Ife crisis in Osun.”

“No one knows which community will be the next victim,” he said.

Kaigama said that Nigerians had enjoyed living together as a united country. He, however, stressed the need for the political leaders in their policies and decisions to respect the multi-ethnic and multi-religious nature of corporate existence.

“We live in a country that is multi-ethnic, multi-religious and complex in nature. We must constantly appeal to the sensibilities of our political leaders.

“They should not be seen to be promoting the interest of any particular group but to be neutral and seek the common things that will promote unity, fairness and equity in the country,” he said.

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“We pray that they will take the responsibilities of governance more seriously, which is providing the basic social amenities for the people, securing the people and promoting unity and fairness.

“If a government is seen or perceived to be protecting sectional or ethnic interest, such a government is certainty seeking for the disintegration of the country,” the bishop added.

The CBCN President further advised that prayers should constantly be said for leaders so that they would take the business of governance more seriously.