The Kaduna State Peace Commission (KSPC), has declared year 2024 as peaceful year free from all kinds of violence.
The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of KSPC, Dr Sale Momale, made the disclosure during the Internal Reflections Meeting jointly organised by the commission and the US Institute of Peace (USIP), facilitated by AID Foundation in Kaduna.
He said that there was no single record of conflict between herders and farmers, no politically-induced violence even during the local government and by-elections of the state.
Momale added that there was no record of violent confrontation bordering chieftaincy disputes or violence over boundary matters.
“We salute and appreciate the people of Kaduna state for making this possible, including our various stakeholders that have worked very hard to make this a practical reality.
“The major challenge in terms of peace and security are the activities of criminal groups and gangs, which are a national and regional dilemma in which the worst affected states in the country are in the North-West geopolitical zone,” he said.
The EVC explained that Katsina and Kaduna states, as well as Zamfara and Niger were having the highest issues related to criminal activities by bandits and other associated militant groups.
Momale said that in spite of these issues, the commission has been engaging the state and federal governments and was hopeful that the issues would be addressed soon.
He urged faith-based organisations, NGOs and the Network of Peace Journalists (NPJ), to collaborate with the commission in campaigning for an end to banditry in the state.
Momale commended the government’s effort in bringing peace in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area, saying such efforts should be replicated in other LGAs that were affected by banditry.
