Epicentre of Peace or Violence?

Kaduna state once boasted of being the epicentre of peace and economic prosperity. It was a region that was categorically created and fashioned with some semblance to the current capital during the colonial administration. However, with the various appurtenances that came with the colonial administrators aimed at boosting the region’s development also came a division that would haunt the state for years. The inflow of Muslim and Christian settlers, divided up into the Northern and Southern regions, has birthed a myriad of issues the state faces to date.

The violence in Kaduna state has worsened in recent times. According to the Nextier Violent Conflict Database, the state has recorded 346 incidents of violent conflict in the past two years, with the toll of casualties at 1,330. Kaura local government area in Southern Kaduna has been one of the worst hit by violent conflict in recent years. Attacks by unknown gunmen in the past two years have destroyed properties worth millions of naira. An attack on two churches by unknown gunmen is among many of the plight residents of Southern Kaduna have faced in recent times. The attack on the Kajuru local government area left three dead while more than thirty others were kidnapped. The most recent attack, which can be likened to a “black Christmas”, occurred on Sunday, December 19^th 2022. The suspected militia herder group attacked the Malagum and Sokwong communities, killing 37 residents. These attacks have been ascribed to have ethnic and religious undertones. Consequently, economic and livelihood activities have been significantly affected while hundreds of residents are displaced from their communities.

Criticisms have followed the attacks on Malagum and Sokwong communities by residents and the Christian Association of Nigeria Kaduna state chapter. An open condemnation of the attacks as barbaric has increased pressure on security agencies to double efforts to mitigate such attacks’ reoccurrence. It can be inferred from the massacre in the community that the attacks on the people of Southern Kaduna remain an imminent threat. It is also deducible that the perpetrators of violence in the region remain at large contrary to prior claims. These claims by Kaduna state leadership were based on the peace process in motion for Southern Kaduna.

Despite the ethnoreligious tension in the state, there have been indications that there is room for dialogue. According to the Chief of Kagoro in the Kaura Local Government Area, any group of individuals with issues should discuss them at a roundtable to settle disagreements amicably. The complex nature of the escalating violence has made the violence in Kaduna a tricky one to solve. However, with concerted efforts, solving the deep-rooted religious tension would be a step toward curbing the violence. The use of religious leaders would prove instrumental in curbing the use of hate speeches and violence in conflict situations.

In another light, a critical analysis of the area and an understanding of the pattern of conflict could guide security agencies in controlling the conflict in the area. An increased police presence in conflict hotspots and intelligence reports to counter imminent threats. Furthermore, a state with such religious tension benefits from a leadership devoid of religious sentiments. This can be a catalyst for addressing violent conflicts that have sprung up from the unrest in the region.