[Mhiz Rebecca]

As part of efforts to end the incessant
attacks in the southern part of
Kaduna State, former Head of State,
Abubakar Abdulsalam; Sultan of
Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar: and the
Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese,
Hassan Kukah; were on Friday in
Kaduna for a peace visit.
The leaders had a closed door
meeting with Governor Nasir El-
Rufai.
Addressing journalists after the
meeting with the governor, Mr.
Abdulsalami said the Kaduna
violence “is something that can
engulf the country.”
“So we want to make sure that peace
reigns in Nigeria, to make sure that
people know that we are together.
“We have to live in peace with each
other and we have what it is to give
and take.
“We are reaching a situation in the
country where human live doesn’t
mean anything to people and this is
wrong.”
The former Nigerian leader said he
and the religious leaders would
within the week meet with leaders in
Southern Kaduna.
“We will also visit the scene in
Southern Kaduna where these
problems are and discuss with the
people. After which we will now sit
down and see what we think should
be done,” he said.
Mr. Abdulsalam said after their
findings, the peace campaign team
will come back to the governor and
also if necessary to the federal
government to discuss a way out.
“Everybody is aggrieved in one way or the other.
So what we beg on people is to be patient, try as
much as to forgive and to be each other’s keeper.
“We must live together, we must find solution to
the problems to sit down and talk to ourselves
because there is no problem that cannot be solved
when you are talking to each other,” he said.
On his part, Mr. Kukah said the visit is to show
solidarity with the people of Kaduna State.
He advised the people of the state, including the
government, to look into ways of achieving peace
and development.
“What is going on now is a very sad phase in our
history, but I believe that we can get over it and
we will get over it and come out much more
stronger and committed to peace,” he said.
Catholic
Cardinal
John
Onaiyekan
and other
members
of the
National
Peace
Committee
were also
on the
peace
campaign
visit.
The National Emergency Management Agency,
NEMA, said on Friday that 204 people have been
killed in the months of violence between
herdsmen and host communities in Southern
Kaduna.