Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, the Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), has voiced strong concern over the fatal violence, bloodshed, and killings going on in Plateau State and other parts of Nigeria.
In a statement which was released on Tuesday, Ochogwu encouraged President Bola Tinubu’s non -chalant concern overy the recent violent clashes occurred in Plateau and Benue states, explaning the attacks as “escalating revenge killings” and of unnecessary bloodshed among communities.
He ignored the killings that took place on Sunday, which resulted into quite a number of deaths, highlighting the area’s history of recurring violence and the loss of innocent lives. A violent assault on the Zikke Kimakpa community in the Kwall District of Irigwe Chiefdom, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, left dead about 54 people , many are said to be injured, and about 30 homes also destroyed. The attack, which occurred late Sunday night, deeply affected badly the community.
Ochogwu called on community, religious, and traditional leaders to work together in fostering long-term peace. He explained the need for efforts focused on rebuilding trust and restoring harmony in areas that are affected by the conflict. Understanding the underlying causes of violence and addressing them is vital to preventing future conflicts.
He stressed that addressing the difficulty of conflict and its root causes is essential for encouraging peace and stability, not only in Plateau but also across the nation. The IPCR aims at implementing peace-driven policies and offer practical solutions based on research.
In his solutioe, Ochogwu highlighted the importance of collective responsibility in avoiding future violence and building more trust in affected communities. He advised those involved in the ongoing violence to heed President Tinubu’s call for peace.
The Director-General also pointed to the failure of local governance, inadequate rural infrastructure, and weak rural and forest governance as key factors contributing to the ongoing conflicts in rural areas.
To tackle these issues, he suggested several measures, including: Strengthening local security systems to address conflicts more effectively;
Encouraging communities to build up their own resilience strategies; Identifying and monitoring potential threats to security; Promoting open dialogue among community leaders, traditional rulers, and residents to peacefully resolve disputes; Helping in projects that stimulate economic growth, reduce poverty, and also create opportunities in rural areas; and working closely with security forces to enhance conflict prevention and response efforts.
