The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued a stringent warning to traditional rulers, community leaders, and youth groups in the Gwagwalada Area Council, admonishing them against protecting individuals responsible for recent farmer-herder clashes. The FCTA insists that all perpetrators must face justice following the violence that erupted in Paikon-Kore village, resulting in three fatalities and the destruction of numerous shops and goods.
Deadly Clashes Ravage Paikon-Kore Village
The violence, which commenced on Saturday afternoon and persisted into Sunday morning, saw three people tragically lose their lives. In addition to the loss of life, several shops were set ablaze, and valuable goods were destroyed at the Paikon-Kore village market. These tragic events underscore the escalating tensions between farmers and herders in the region.
FCTA Demands Cooperation and Accountability
During a stakeholders' meeting held on Monday, convened by Kasim Mohammed Ikwa, the Gwagwalada Area Council chairman, the Director of Security in the office of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, delivered the stern warning. The meeting was specifically called in response to the recent clash in Paikon-Kore.
The FCTA Director of Security emphasised that community leaders must collaborate fully with security agencies to identify those instigating and perpetrating the violence, thereby preventing any further escalation of conflict. He unequivocally stated that the administration would no longer tolerate a "conspiracy of silence" from any quarters. The security director urged traditional rulers, village and district heads, Fulani leaders, and youth groups to work cohesively towards restoring peace in the area. He further warned that a failure to adequately address the crisis could compel security agencies to implement more stringent measures to maintain law and order.
Council Chairman Cites Land Pressure as Root Cause
Kasim Mohammed Ikwa, the Gwagwalada Area Council chairman, attributed the recurring clashes in Paikon-Kore to mounting pressure on farmland, rapid population growth, and ongoing development within the area. These factors, he suggested, contribute significantly to the friction between the different community groups.
The chairman called upon both Fulani and youth leaders to organise and conduct sensitisation programmes aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence among residents. Such initiatives, he believes, are crucial for fostering understanding and de-escalating tensions in the affected communities within Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory.