Repentant bandits in Birnin Gwari Emirate, Buruku and Sabon Birni community have sought forgiveness for the atrocities allegedly committed while assuring Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State and the National Security Adviser (NSA) that they would be law-abiding citizens and adhere to the peace pact in the future.
They said they had lived in the forests, far from city life, for more than 10 years and would, therefore, be happy if the government gave them a sense of belonging and allowed their children to attend school.
A Fulani elder who claimed to be a representative of bandit kingpin Jan Bross and a Fulani community leader, Ardo, said it was time for all Fulani leaders across the federation to talk to their subjects and convince them to embrace the peace process fully.
Speaking to Journalists in Birnin Gwari, he said, “They should follow the Kaduna example and lay down arms.”
“We are grateful for this peace pact and shall continue to pray for its sustainability. Thank you, government,” he said.
The Chairman of Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area, Hon Salisu Isa, could not hide his excitement as the Local Government headquarters bustled with activities again after a very long time of uncertainty due to attacks by bandits and other criminal elements.
During the crisis period, even the Local Council was moved to Kaduna, as bandits had vandalised critical assets and infrastructures in Birnin-Gwari. All banks were razed, the post office destroyed, and schools vandalised. Only the military and other security forces could remain to stop the criminals from ultimately annexing the historic town that has carved a niche as a primary gateway to the Southwestern part of Nigeria.
According to the Local Council boss, the peace pact was reached due to persistent prayers to Almighty Allah.
“I express my gratitude to my boss, our Governor, Senator Uba Sani and the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, for this initiative, the Emir, LG staff, the Mallams and all others,” he said.
He said that to sustain and maintain the peace accord; the council inaugurated a Peace and Reconciliation Committee that meets regularly. The committee comprises key stakeholders from the government, the Hausa and Fulani communities, and others.
“Other places should emulate Birnin-Gwari and develop the peace pact,” he advised.
He said the public should continue to pray for Birnin-Gwari to restore its past glory and take the path for continued growth and development.
Alhaji Ibrahim Bokolo, a repentant bandit, said the crisis made him and his family relocate to neighbouring Niger state. Now that he had returned to Kaduna State, he appealed for more understanding, especially from local vigilantes. He cautioned troublemakers to resist any act that could breach the peace pact.
Another Fulani chieftain, Alhaji Isa, said they would listen to the government and abide by the peace pact.
He called on the government to check the activities of some vigilante members in neighbouring Zara, Gidigodi, in Niger state, who were allegedly stopping the free movement of trucks loaded with cattle.
The Birnin Gwari LG boss had earlier assured that they would liaise with the authorities in Niger state over the matter.
Muhammadu Lawali, a repentant bandit, assured that the current peace pact differed from previous ones, as both parties had genuine intentions. He prayed for forgiveness and encouraged the Fulani and Hausa to show more love to one another.
According to him,” We now have respite. We can move freely and intermingle with people from different parts of the community. This is a clear departure from the recent past when we were confined to the bush and only saw the town from afar. That was how I lived for the past seven years. We thank Almighty Allah and the authorities for this peace pact,” he said.
Suleiman Yes Power, another repentant bandit full of smiles, was delighted to have sold his cow at the Birnin Gwari cattle market, something he could not do in the previous years.
While displaying a wad of money, he prayed for the peace pact to be sustained so that the town would be a whole of economic activity, attracting people from far and near. He assured that, on their part, they would continue to honour and respect the pact.
The Sarkin Zango Birnin Gwari, Hambali Muhammad, who was in charge of the cattle market, said the cattle market has not been operational for over 10 years due to banditry.
He commended the efforts of the federal and state authorities, the emir of Birnin Gwari, the local government, and other stakeholders who ensured that the peace pact saw the light of the day.
“Today, over 50 trucks loaded with livestock left for different parts of this country. The market is back on track. All praises to Almighty Allah, “he said.
At the grains market, 25-year-old Yusuf Ibrahim Jonga said one of the benefits of the peace pact was that they now have contact with the Fulani, unlike before
“We now communicate with the Fulani; they tell us their grudges, and we find ways to resolve issues.”
“Now, the Birnin-Gwari—Lagos Road is accessible 24 hours daily. Unlike before, vehicles are plying the road comfortably, without fear of attack by bandits. Economic activity has picked up. Farmers have started clearing farmlands ahead of the next planting season. ”
“I lost two brothers during the crisis, and my relatives in the Randagi area were dislodged. Now we are grateful to Almighty Allah for this peace pact, “he said.
Another farmer, Malam Mustapha, said nothing could be more enjoyable than the freedom to move and interact. “We see them now, they see us too. The Fulani is in the bush, and we, the Hausa, are in the town. We are now together enjoying peace and harmony, “he said.
“Now, we can go where we couldn’t go before, during the crisis period. We buy and sell, Alhamdulillah, “he said.
“There are places in the forest where we could not plant crops. This year, we are going to cultivate these forests,” he said.
He called on the people to feel free and visit the Birnin-Gwari grains market, a market he said had, in the past, attracted buyers from neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameron.
At the Buruku market, the situation was peaceful and calm, with buying and selling going on under the market’s and LG officials’ careful watch.
A local trader said over 100 trucks departed the market, bringing farm produce to different parts of the country.
The Sabon Birni community near the Kaduna International Airport, a no-go area weeks ago due to banditry, was in a festive mood on Sunday as people from far and near trooped to the market.
The District Head of the community praised Governor Uba Sani and NSA Ribadu and called on the government to rebuild infrastructure in the community, such as schools and others affected during the crisis period.
The coordinator of the peace trip and the Dan Masanin Birnin Gwari, Zubairu Idris AbdulRauf, was optimistic that ultimate peace would return to the entire state and beyond.
Idris AbdulRauf said that once the Kaduna Peace Pact, as exemplified by the Governor Uba Sani administration through the adoption and application of a non-kinetic approach, is emulated, peace will continue, and the people will have a new lease of life.