The Zamfara State government has been urged to establish a Peace Commission to address the violent conflict among the warring groups to restore peace and stability in the State.
Stakeholders made the call during a close-out meeting on the initiative tagged; Protecting Our Communities through Dialogue, Early Warning and Early Response, and countering of fake news to mitigate the current crisis in the region.
The event brought together traditional rulers, members of the All-Farmers Association, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeder Association, representatives of civil Society Organisations, women, youth and the media among others.
The idea was to brainstorm on how to strengthen community dialogue as a formidable mechanism to resolve violent conflict among residents of Zamfara State to foster peaceful co-existence.
The Executive Director of the Voluntary Aid Initiative (VAI), Musa Umar, highlighted the effectiveness of peace dialogue in conflict resolution, and how it has helped to reduce the burden on security agencies and traditional rulers.
The Secretary to The Zamfara State Government, Abubakar Nakwada, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of Cabinet Affairs in his office, Lawal Hussaini, spoke on efforts being made by the State Government to tackle banditry and restore peace in the State.
Stakeholders at the event emphasised the need for sustained peace dialogue among community members to promote peaceful harmony and positive changes in their communities for the overall national development.
Protecting Our Communities Initiative project was commended by relevant stakeholders, noting that it has mitigated several conflicts among community members and called for the sustainability of the initiative to entrench enduring peace in Zamfara State Northwest Nigeria.
