INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR INTERFAITH, PEACE & HARMONY No. 4 Kinkino Road, Off Alkali Road, Kaduna – .

Vol.1, No. 2

USING GOOD STORIES TO BUILD Supported By: WCC & RELATIONSHIPS FOR ADVANCING RABIIT PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE IN OUR MULTI-RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR C o n t e n t s INTERFAITH PEACE & HARMONY Our Contacts ...... 1 Address: Our Board...... 1 OFFICE: N0 4 KINKINO ROAD, OFF ALKALI ROAD, KADUNA Our Management ...... 1 WEBSITE: www.iciph.org. EMAIL: [email protected], About Us ...... 2 [email protected]. TEL:09076160078 Vision & Mission ...... 3 Co-Chairmen: His Eminence, Opinion ...... 4 Alh. Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, Sultan of Sokoto. Story No 1: Sir Ahmadu Bello’s Christmas Message ...... 5 His Eminence, Dr. Emmanuel Josiah Udofia, Story No 2: Yakubu Dogara’s Testimony...... 6 Primate, African Church. Story No 3: Southern Kaduna Attacks: Co-Secretaries: 29 Communities Sign Peace Pact ...... 8 Rev. Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Wushishi General Secretary, CCN Story No 4: US, German Envoys Superintend Shaykh Dr. Khalid A. Aliyu, Peace Pact in 30 Plateau Communities ...... 9 General Secretary, JNI Story No 5: El-Rufai Commits N100m to Co-Directors: Rebuild Churches, Mosques damaged by Venerable Joshua Mallam Violence in Southern Kaduna...... 11 (Programs) Story No 6: Peaceful Co-Existence: Muhammad Bashir Mai (Strategy and Partnership) Christian Donates Mosque to Muslims in Adamawa...... 12 Project Officers: Zeenatu Umar Yazid Story No 7: ’Repentant’ Cattle Rustlers (Advocacy & Communication) Become Peace Advocates in Katsina ...... 13 Mrs Ruth Duniya Story No 8: Soldiers, Policemen Arrested for (Admin & Finance) Raping Women in IDPs Camps ...... 17 Officers: George Ibrahim Story No 9: DHQ to Punish Soldiers Accused (Front Desk) of Rape in IDP Camps ...... 18

Abdulazeez A. Biodun Conclusion: ...... 20 (ICT) 331 proposal to establish a neutral favored creation of an information-collection and interfaith center, while the archive center, ideally both remaining 5% questioned the virtually and on the ground in need for another initiative Nigeria, which will facilitate when ther e ar e many About the sharing of stories, allow inter faith organizations the voices of those who feel already on ground in the Us themselves voiceless to be c o u n t r y. D e s p i t e t h e heard and recorded and to abundance of indigenous as assist with collecting of well as foreign interfaith accurate data about incidents initiatives across Nigeria, h e i d e a b e h i n d of violence, online and findings in the field revealed establishment of a through hotlines. In a that there was still need for a Tspecialized Interfaith n u t s h e l l , t h e a i m o f specific Center, owned, run Center in Nigeria to address establishing the new Center and managed by a leading inter-religious conflicts was will be to generate accurate, Muslim Organization (JNI) borne out of a fact-finding impartial and indelible record and a Leading Christian mission undertaken in May of injustices, violence and Organization (CCN), devoid 2012 by an international atrocities which can serve not of political interference, delegation of Muslim and only as deterrent but also as working in close partnership Christian leaders led by the an honest starting point for with local and international World Council of Churches future solutions. organizations for Nigeria. (WCC) and the Royal Jor danian Aal Al-Bayt To come up with such an In line with the many Institute of Islamic Thought interfaith organization, the recommendations of the World Council of Churches [RABIIT]. According to the Consultants, WCC and (WCC) and the Royal “Fact-finding Report”, the RABIIT, in partnership with Jor danian Aal Al-Bayt d e l e g a t i o n ' s v i s i t w a s CCN and JNI decided to Institute of Islamic Thought proposed in reaction to the establish such an interfaith [ R A B I I T ] i n c l o s e numerous incidents of fierce organization in Nigeria. This collaboration with their inter-communal strives which fundamental decision led to Nigerian partners; Christian tremendously affected the t h e f o r m a t i o n o f t h e Council of Nigeria (CCN) and lives of Nigerians during the International Center for Jama'atu Nasril Islam (JNI), period 2000 to 2012, I n t e r f a i t h , Pe a c e a n d especially knowing that -at commissioned Consultants to assess viability of establishing Harmony (ICIPH), situated at least since the Bosnian war of No. 4 Kinkino Road, Off Alkali 1993 to 1995- Nigeria is the the Center, in particular the Road in Kaduna, Nigeria. Its only country in the world potential buy-in of religious office was commissioned on where most severe inter- leaders from both faiths and 19th August 2016 and since communal violence between to advice on its setting up. then, the ICIPH has been Christians and Muslims was working toward achieving the experienced. After very wide consultations, an important finding of the objectives it was set up to achieve. A major outcome of the fact- Consultants was that almost finding mission was the 95% of their respondents

2 OUR VISION:

Nigeria becomes a model of interreligious peace and harmony, where people embrace religious diversity as strength and work together with mutual understanding, kindness, compassion and respect for the sanctity of life and human dignity, towards the advancement of peace, justice and sustainable development.

To serve as a platform for the promotion of reconciliation, healing and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians through: Fostering meaningful interreligious partnership for harmony; Education and sensitization on peaceful co-existence; and Sharing of information on interfaith issues, stories of victims of conflicts and examples of good interfaith relations and initiatives.

3 human interaction and by extension could not bring about harmony and peaceful co-existence in any community. Besides, acts of discrimination based on the afore- mentioned negative values on persons of different group, race or Opinion religion is considered offensive in the Sight of God. e begin this Newsletter by the present generation and for likely relating to you a story of a generations to come. In trying to understand the “other” Wblind community. In a people's point of view however, we mountain community, which was cut Obviously, the blind community had stand a better chance of avoiding off from the world, sight was slowly exhibited high level of intolerance, conflicts and perhaps achieve lost in a way that was seen as logical resulting in its loss of a very valuable peaceful resolution of most of our and even a superior way of possession, which was sight. We conflicts. It is equally through existence. Ever yone in the believe that the way we live today in recognizing the “other” people's community was blind and it had our own communities is no different frame of mind that we can effectively been like that for generations. A from the philosophy of life of the respect their stance, understand one strange disease had made all the blind community. As members of our another and work for peace. By adults and the children born to the communities coming from different inference therefore, our best chance community to be blind. However life cultural, religious and educational for achieving peace in our homes, was very easy, with neither thorns backgr ounds, we ought to societies and the world at large is nor evil insects or beasts save the appreciate these natural in-born through respect for one another and gentle breed of llamas that guided differences to be able to remain for humanity in general. the sightless youngsters until they t o g e t h e r a s o n e . Wi t h o u t knew the whole valley very well. acknowledging, appreciating, In our own small way at providing a recognizing and understanding practical example in this drive, the Fate of the community remained those differences, peaceful co- ICIPH had recruited and trained 24 unchanged until one day, Nunez, a existence will continue to elude our Muslim and Christian Youths as mountain climber from the outside communities. Peace Ambassadors in Kaduna and world fell into the community and 31 in Jos. The Ambassadors have was saved. The blind community Ignorance begets intolerance or since started work in their different b e c a m e a p p r e h e n s i v e a n d xenophobia, which in turn leads to communities for the promotion of suspicious of Nunez and refused to i r r a t i o n a l i t y , b a s e d o n peace and peaceful co-existence. accept him when the community generalization, misinformation and realized that he had sight. The blind sometime fear. Intolerance on the This newsletter therefore aims at community does not understand the other hand renders people, drawing attention to proper concept of seeing let alone especially the young ones incapable understanding, accommodation, appreciate it, because all its or unwilling to move beyond the appreciation and above all m e m b e r s w e r e b l i n d f o r false generalizations and stereo- tolerance for our inherent natural generations. typing, without even making differences that tend to generate attempt to understand the real truth much conflict in our communities, Nunez struggled to be accepted as about any issue affecting their polarizing us and threatening part of the blind community with a communities. This more often than peaceful co-existence between us. family of his own, but to achieve not, results in taking hurried and The Newsletter contains some Good that, he had to undergo surgery to irrational decisions that could Stories that are expected to reveal a have his eyeballs removed, thus eventually lead to conflicts, hidden perspective that may lead to becoming blind himself. His own unnecessary destruction of human a change in our outlook and sight could have been of great lives and property. perception and perhaps also provide benefit and value to them, but the Without doubt, intolerance, bigotry, a way out of perennial violence. blind community saw any difference prejudice, ignorance and narrow Finally, the Newsletter also hopes to as negative and dangerous. mindedness could be as bad as provide measures of avoiding Because of this intolerance, the fanaticism and may not therefore be conflicts and violence so that lives community was deprived of sight in a positive response for any kind of and resources are not wasted in needless conflicts. 4 USING GOOD STORIES TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS FOR ADVANCING PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE IN OUR MULTI-RELEGIOUS COMMUNITIES Story No. 1: Sir Ahmadu Bello's Christmas Message

rom 19 August 2016 when December 2016, enjoy it. liberty to practice his beliefs. It is the ICIPH office was befitting on this momentous day, Flaunched to the end of the “We are people of many different on behalf of my ministers and year, we have monitored forty races, tribes and religions, who myself, to send a special word of stories from the media on peace are knit together by common gratitude to all Christian and violence. Out of the forty history, common interests and missions. Let me conclude this stories, only 9 or 3.6% were good common ideas. Our diversity with a personal message. I s t o r i e s . A s p a r t o f o u r may be great but the things that extend my greetings to all our responsibility to document and to unite us are stronger than the people who are Christians on this share such good stories, we things that divide us. On an great feast day. Let us forget the relate them as they appeared on occasion like this, I always difference in our religion and the pages of the Nigerian remind people about our firmly r e m e m b e r t h e c o m m o n Newspapers. rooted policy on religious brotherhood before God, by tolerance. Families of all creeds dedicating ourselves afresh to The first story which featured last and colours can rely on these the great tasks which lie before because of its date was a assurances. We have no us.” Christmas message delivered by intention of favouring one the late Premier of Northern religion at the expense of This generation of Nigerians has Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, another. Subject to overriding a lot to learn from this concise Sardauna of Sokoto on 25 need to preserve law and order, it message delivered by the late December 1959. The story was is our determination that Premier over fifty years ago. picked from the Leadership of 26 everyone should have absolute

5 Our second story was authored by Turaki A. Hassan, Culled from the Leadership Newspaper of 9 December 2016. It is truly an interfaith story which Mr. Hassan simply titled: “As Dogara Champions Calls For Interfaith Dialogue” Story No. 2: Yakubu Dogara’s Testimony or many devout Christians, the idea of According to Dogara, rather than accentuating the combining the practice of their faith with areas of division among the various groups, Factive partisan politics is so antithetical that ethnicity and religions in the north, what politicians the mere thought of it is seen as a sign that one has of every colour and creed should do is to emphasise backslidden from pure Christianity. our common humanity and our areas of strength thereby underscoring the miracles that will be This is because active partisan politics, especially in performed if all of us: Muslims, Christians, other Nigeria, is said to be a dirty game and adjudged to faiths and the diverse ethnic nationalities come be associated with the things that Christianity together to further our collective aspirations of vehemently preaches against: lying, covetousness, building a better society and country that all of us stealing and mentioning God's name in vain ; would be proud of. amongst others. He noted that these faith based prejudices are not Therefore, when a group of politicians, under the stereotypical of the north and are indeed a latter aegis of Northern Nigeria Christian Politicians day phenomenon, adding that there are many converged on Abuja penultimate Saturday to among our Muslim brothers who sincerely believe honour the Speaker of the House of that the Christian community in the North deserves Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and the Secretary a fairer deal and more equitable patronage. to the Government of the Federation, David According to him, it is the presence of those with Babachir Lawal; many critical observers were quick such disposition and the dogged efforts of some to dismiss it as an incongruous gathering. Not a few such leaders who worked in the spirit of unity in his also wondered aloud the capacity of politicians to support, that resulted in his election as speaker of hide under any guise to advance their cause. the House of Representatives.

But when Speaker Yakubu Dogara was given an “There are those who said look, time has come for opportunity to speak, there was no room for the North to go back to those days of Sardauna political rhetorics, he hit squarely at the very issue where those who call themselves, or are referred to that has continued to draw the northern part of the as the core North, will deliberately fashion out ways country backward: distrust among Christians and of patronising their Christians brothers in the Muslims. North,” he said.

6 Dogara, who praised the efforts us? It speaks volumes: it's an of some notable northern invitation to all of us to go back to Muslim political leaders in the ways of our founding fathers. will experience development cementing the hitherto fractured because even if we are relations between the two What ways? When we used to developed, lack of peace will dominant religious groups in the work together and when we used destroy it. Syria is a case in point. north, admitted that had to live together as brothers and So that is the challenge before norther n Muslim leaders sisters. That is the only way that us. As they open their arms to prevailed on their Reps not to we can live in peace which is a embrace us, we should also open vote for him, he would never have key ingredient for development. our arms to embrace them so emerged as Speaker. Without peace, we cannot even that we can write a new political practice our religion. And as long history” he told the gathering It is his belief that the support he as we don't enjoy peace in our amidst thunderous applause. got from northern Muslims and region, there is no way that we the appointment of Engineer Speaker Dogara also used the Lawal as SGF by President Dogara, who praised opportunity of the occasion to Muhammadu Buhari, is sending the efforts of some notable send a message to other strong signals to all northern northern Muslim political Nigerians who think that their Christians that there is now as leaders in cementing the nests can be better feathered if open invitation to them from hitherto fractured relations Nigeria is dismembered into their Muslim brethren for a between the two dominant smaller units. renewed friendship that will religious groups in the north, foster unity and religious admitted that had northern Sounding deeply religious as he tolerance in the region, as in the Muslim leaders prevailed on always is, the speaker told the days of the late sage and Premier audience at the packed main hall of defunct northern region, Sir their Reps not to vote for him, he would never have of the International Conference Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of centre that those who habour emerged as Speaker. Sokoto. such sinister thoughts had better

As the speaker noted, one can say without fear of contradiction that it takes only a person of President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint a Lawal, a Christian from as the SGF, which is the first time such a plum position is ceded to northern Christians despite strong opposition from those who believed in maintaining the status quo. “It may interest you to know that among members, we lost only two votes. If all the members from Sokoto State alone had decided to vote for my opponent, there is no way we would have won that election. And in Zamfara, we lost one vote. But what does that speak to

7 perish them as God did not make a mistake in Therefore, anyone fighting for the disintegration of creating the Nigerian nation. this country will not succeed because I believe God He said: “For some of us who think Nigeria is a has a plan for Nigeria and likewise, anyone fighting mistake, or that the North, having aggregated so to eliminate any faith in Northern Nigeria or for the many ethnic groups and then two dominant faiths, destruction of Northern Nigeria will not succeed is a mistake, I want to advise us to have a rethink.” because I believe God has a plan for Northern According to him, “the one who put together Nigeria too and until God is done with his plan, the Nigeria and the North is God and He has a purpose north will remain as it is and similarly Nigeria will or reason for putting together the North or Nigeria remain as it is. If anyone can upturn that, it means that way. he is greater than God”. Gladly no one is greater than God.

Another landmark achieved on interfaith good stories was the mediation efforts of the center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) and a Nairobi based inter-government organization that mediated peace in Southern Kaduna. The story was written by Christiana T. Alabi in the Daily Trust of 26 October 2016. Story No. 3: Southern Kaduna Attacks: 29 Communities Sign Peace Pact In a communiqué issued by Southern Kaduna Steering Committee and signed by Senator Babale Makarfi and 32 other Southern Kaduna leaders, the communities disapproved of the recent attacks; saying they are committed to peaceful resolution of the issues that led to the clashes.

While acknowledging that inter- communal dialogue, which f o c u s e d o n p r e v a l e n t farmer/grazer issues and the ollowing the r ecent with support from the Centre for return/settlement of internally communal clashes in Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) displaced persons among other Fsouthern Kaduna, 29 and the Swiss Government issues was a continuous process, communities spread across five sponsored Nairobi based inter- t h e y a s s u r e d o f t h e i r local government areas of the governmental organization. commitment to sustaining peace state have signed an agreement by ensuring the implementation to live in peace. Southern Kaduna communities o f t h e d i a l o g u e had in recent times suffered recommendations. Leaders from the five local attacks, the latest being the government areas: Kaura, attack on Godogodo chiefdom “The inter-communal dialogue Kachia, Sanga, Zangon Kataf which involved Godogodo, between the 29 groups has and Jema'a engaged in an inter- Ninte, Gada Biyu, Gidan Waya, succeeded in helping us begin to communal dialogue process that Antang and Dogon Fili as well as jointly find solutions to our issues culminated in the signing of 'The Kagoro in Kaura. and concerns,” the communiqué Kafanchan Peace Declaration' said.

8 Perhaps following the success recorded in Southern Kaduna, a similar pact was endorsed in for peaceful co-existence. The story was reported by StorySeriki No Adinoyi. 4: inU ThisdayS, G Newspermapera ofn 24 E Decembernvoy s2016. Superintend Peace Pact in 30 Plateau Communities

Executive Governor of Plateau State: Bar. Simon Bakko Lalong

o r e t h a n 3 0 global response to armed ‘The Southern Plateau Peace communities in the conflict. It has been mediating in Declaration', as it was tagged, Ms o u t h e r n p a r t o f the inter-communal disputes in was witnessed by the US Plateau state have committed to Plateau and Kaduna states. Ambassador to Nigeria, W. end years of violence and Stuart Symington, his German hostilities that have claimed In an agreement, signed recently counterpart, Ambassador hundreds of lives and property in Shendam, the communities Bernhard Schlagheck, former worth millions of Naira. s p r e a d a c r o s s s i x l o c a l Chairman of the Economic and government areas of Langtang Financial Crimes Commission The peace was brokered by the North, Langtang South, Mikang, (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Geneva, Switzerland-based Qua'an Pan, Shendam and Wase Plateau State Governor, Barr. Centre for Humanitarian local government areas, resolved Simon Lalong, Transition Dialogue (HD), an independent to bury the hatchet and live in Committee Chairmen of the six m e d i a t i o n o r g a n i s a t i o n , peace with one another local government councils, dedicated to helping improve irrespective of tribe or religious traditional rulers and member differences. 9 Malam Nuhu Ribadu, Former Chairman, EFCC representing Wase Federal governor recalled that the Malam Ribadu, recalled with Constituency, Idris Majei, organisation had achieved nostalgia how many people had amongst others. similar feat in the northern zone loved to live in Plateau because where it worked with Afizere, of the serene environment and Barr. Lalong, who was elated by Anaguta, Berom, Fulani, Hausa, expressed hope that those days the development, said the state Igbo, South-south and the would return. had enjoyed relative peace in the Yoruba communities, which had two years of his administration, resulted in peaceful co-existence The lead mediator and HD which had enabled him in the Northern senatorial zone. Country Director, Mrs. Alice concentrate on delivering Nderitu, in her welcome address, democracy dividends to the He said, “I must say that the said that the signing of the people. peace process has laid the agreement was not an end in ground for strong foundations, itself, but the beginning of the He told the communities that by upon which more effective long- peace process. continuously engaging in crisis, term work in peace building, will money meant for development logically develop and progress,” She said that HD sought to would be diverted into private adding that it was for this reason impr ove the practice of pockets in the guise of security that he established the Plateau mediation and strengthen votes, adding that he was Peace Agency. capacity within the community of amazed at billions of Naira mediators, adding that in that siphoned by the previous The US ambassador said that his respect, the organisation carried administration and when he country was interested in peace out an extensive programme of made inquiries he was told that on the Plateau because Nigeria support activities, which include they were expended on security. was an important partner that providing advice as well as staff the US could not ignore. and logistics to others mediating While commending HD for their in armed conflicts. efforts in southern zone, the Chairman of the occasion,

10 As part of its desire for a lasting peace in Kaduna, the State Governor earmarked the Story No. 5: El-Rufai Commits sum of One Hundred Million Naira for the rehabilitation of Churches and Mosques N100m to Rebuild Churches, damaged by violence in Southern Kaduna. The story was carried by Midat Joseph in the Mosques damaged By Leadership Newspaper of 13 November 2016. Violence in Southern Kaduna

Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, Governor of aduna State governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad The governor added that, the Commission will El-Rufai announced the donation of enable inclusion of all citizens on plans for peaceful KN100m to rebuild churches and mosques coexistence of the peoples that live in the state. El- destroyed during ethno-religious crisis in Southern Rufai, in his speech entitled 'apology, forgiveness, Kaduna. key to peace' said “In recognition of the vital importance of showing concrete manifestations of This is part of the government efforts to restore peace, the government has decided to support civic permanent peace in five local government areas. efforts to rebuild damaged churches and mosques with a seed fund of N100mn. Announcing the donation during the historic unveiling of public apology billboards by five “The challenge of achieving peace and justice is a communities from Jama'a, Kachia, Kaura, Sanga complex process that requires imagination, wide and Zangon Kataf LGAs for the return of consultations, technical support, research and permanent peace, governor Nasir El-Rufai, said his time. I have promised you change. I will not be government has drafted a bill to set up the Kaduna derailed from the legacy of peace that Southern State Peace Commission in fulfillment of the Kaduna deserves from my generation” promises he made in 2015. 11 Wide consultation within their us the public apology billboard The governor stressed: “This communities was carried out in saw one of our problems as the state belongs to everyone that selecting them. Their input and lack of peace. They have stepped has chosen to make it home. Let contribution to peace in forward and began providing us respect each other, abide by Southern Kaduna has been solutions. They have decided to the law, do our duty to uphold crucial. Allow me to opine that own their peace as communities. harmony and firmly reject leaders are not born and neither These people are leaders” division and violence! are they made” “These group of resilient leaders Today we are here to launch a “They are summoned by drawn from different religions Public Apology Billboard, as we circumstances and whoever and ideologies have now been grief over the lives sadly taken in steps forth and provides a joined by many more, ordinary the recent violence in the solution becomes a leader. These citizens, who are now going Godogodo chiefdom. Why, our men and women who have given around Southern Kaduna, children ask, are we able to seeking the buy in of traditional elders, community and religious discuss peace for decades but The governor leaders, women, youth and the not find it on the ground? stressed: “This state civil society to never again belongs to everyone “Now, 29 ethnic communities of indulge in violence. They want to that has chosen to Southern Kaduna present a set up billboards across the five make it home. Let us Public Apology billboard to us. LGAs of Sanga, Kachia, Kaura, These people represented their respect each other, Jema'a and Zangon Kataf, at communities at the dialogues abide by the law, do roundabouts, Schools and that resulted in the Kafanchan our duty to uphold places of worship. Their message Peace Declaration. They were harmony and firmly is that no ethnic group, ideology, s e n t t o r e p r e s e n t t h e i r reject division and religion or political party holds all communities by their leaders. violence! the answers” El-Rufai said.

Close to this good public gesture is another one by a high profile individual in person of His Excellency Mr. Martins Babale, Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, a Christian who Built and transferred a Jumma'at Mosque to his community. This story was initially captured in the Leadership Newspaper of 29 December 2016 and is marked as story 6 in this Newsletter. Story No. 6: Peaceful Co-Existence: Christian Donates Mosque to Muslims in Adamawa

he Deputy Governor of Adamawa, Mr Martins Babale, has donated a Juma'at Mosque to Dalasum TCommunity in Toungo Local Government Area of the state.

12 Babale said while the presenting the mosque to Alhaji Musa Gindau, the District Head of the community that the measure was an effort Dalasum, commended the courageous and to boost peaceful co-existence among the generous effort of the deputy governor, diverse communities in the state. describing him as a “peace promoter”.

The deputy governor, a Christian, said he built Gindau said that the people of Dalasum were the mosque to promote peaceful co-existence well known in living in peace with one another among the local communities in the area. irrespective of religion, tribe and clan.

He emphasised that the era of unnecessary He urged all Nigerians to emulate the gesture. conflicts and misunderstanding between followers of different religions was over and Ustaz Abubakar Garba, Chairman, Muslim stressed the need to live together harmoniously Council in the area, admonished the Muslim with tolerance. ummah to always live in peace and respect one another especially the people of the book “Today I am fulfilling one of my wishes to our (Christians).Garba noted that the development people. I prayed that the Mosque will also serve would go a long way in uniting the people of the as a centre which will unite our community,” area. Babale said. Another good story is the one written by Habibu Umar Aminu in the Daily Trust of 25 October 2016. The story was about the remorse of former cattle thieves who turned peace ambassadors. Enjoy it. Story No. 7: 'Repentant' Cattle Rustlers Become Peace Advocates in Katsina bdullahi Karki, a self- acclaimed 'King of ATerrorists' and former gang leader of about 20 armed bandits and rustlers, has turned a new leaf as he led his gang to renounce their past unholy ways of banditry and cattle rustling, by becoming an advocate of peace. This is a new initiative aimed at addressing the menace of banditry and cattle rustling in .

Karki's gang was among the many who have terrorised residents and communities around the dreaded Rugu forest in Katsina. Many people have been killed, raped and maimed by the bandits who attack

13 What we started as a 'Kaura gang' later became a group of rustlers. After a while I assumed leadership of many members, who were forced out by different circumstances, especially by their respective communities. Many members were castaways from their communities and they have nowhere to live, and lack what to do, and so they voluntarily joined. Some were accused of rape, stealing, and A Cross Session of Fulani Herdsmen in a Community Dialogue m a l i g n e d b y t h e i r h o s t communities, dispossessing the communities, making their life inhabitants of their belongings. “I virtually know all hard by not associating or the bandits and their dealing with them. Some are Cattle rustling and banditry have mode of thinking. I being hunted by people, and for for many years remained the have resolved to meet that fear they came to us and we teething problems be devilling with all of them, accommodate them.” the people of the southern part of especially those who Katsina State, especially are found in the act to Born 36 years ago, Karki said for the past three years the forest has communities surrounding the persuade them. What I been his home. “I sat and dreaded Rugu forest spanning started with 30 persons thought over and over of my way over 220 kilometers. has now blossomed to of life, and guidance came from well over 500 repentant God. I foresaw no good coming The forest has become a hideout bandits,” he added. for the bandits and a no go area from this act, and said this is not for any persons, which also it. I approached the authorities serves as a place for the trade in and told them of my decision, Several meetings are being held stolen animals, as thousands of and that is how I got involved in with some of the gangs such animals worth billions of this peace advocacy effort,” he representatives, government and Naira were lost to the activities of said. security operatives inside the such bandits. forest, all aimed at bringing an “I virtually know all the bandits end to the menace. This new initiative has started and their mode of thinking. I yielding results with many have resolved to meet with all of According to Karki, joining rustlers and bandits joining the them, especially those who are banditry and rustling was not an trend, and pledging to submit found in the act to persuade easy decision for him as in the their arms to security operatives, them. What I started with 30 past three years he has been fully by accepting and vowing to do persons has now blossomed to involved in the act “I joined this away with their past and well over 500 repentant way of life when I became a choosing a new path in life. bandits,” he added. subject of attack by some The leadership of Miyyetti Allah members of a group of thugs Cattle Breeders Association in Another gang leader, Bello who have penciled me down. I the state was able to bring the Nadama, alias 'Danboko' said had no way but to move in and two warring factions together for this new initiative has afforded mobilise some like minds for a round table discussion, with a him the opportunity to travel and protection.” view to forging a common meet with many of his former ground that will be acceptable to contemporaries who still indulge all. in the illicit trade, to discuss and 14 A Fulani man with his herd of cattle sensitize them on the need to change their way of operatives all Fulani men are seen as criminals. We life. He said, even though his life is in great danger, are humans who also need the basics of life like what is worth doing is worth doing well so that water, schools, and farming supports to live well, posterity will judge him as having renounced his old and continue to coexist peacefully. ways. He is deeply involved in ensuring others too join the effort. Usman alias Ruga Kachalla said in the past ten years, security operatives have been hunting for Ardo Abdu Nashawari has not stepped out of the him, and burning his houses on the allegation of his forest in the last three years with his animals. Under being a rustler. He said, “What they failed to difficult conditions and attack from bandits and understand is that I'm innocent of all the rustlers within the forest, life has been unbearable. accusations against me. I have not been given the He was forced to relocate due to lack of grazing chance to speak out and clear my name, not until lands and conflicts with farmers. this new initiative.” “I'm not a criminal but a proud Fulani cattle man who wants the best for his life and “It may interest you to know that every day I bring animals. I joined this initiative to clear my name and my children to the edge of the forest for some restore sanity in our affairs,” he added. Okada man whom I arranged with to take them to school in town and return them. My wealth is in the Four separate meetings have so far taken place forest and I have to stay and protect since the coming of the new initiative, both within them.”According to him, the forest is another world and outside the forest. of its own, where jungle justice takes course in all that transpires within. The stronger and well-armed Speaking at one of such meetings in Illela town of you are, the better for you.“My people set me up in Safana Local Government, Secretary to the Danmusa town accusing me of stealing which I government of Katsina State, Alhaji Mustapha never did. The security personnel have continued to Inuwa said, this is a major break through in tag every Fulani man as a criminal. As such I took to government efforts towards restoring peace in the the forest to live therein for fear of my life,” he area, noting that “following this remarkable feat, added. government will establish a standing committee on the peace initiative to sustain the achievement so For Lawal Sani and Ardo Ja'i Tanire, every ethnic far. The courage of all of you who have surrendered group has its 'bad eggs'. But to the security is a thing of joy, and a boost to peaceful

15 Surrendered Weapons coexistence. I urge all those that have surrendered He said the ringleaders' acceptance to denounce to extend news about the new development to rustling is courageous and must be commended, others, so that more will accept peace and choose a noting that this will greatly improve the socio new lease of life,” he said. economic activities of the areas.

“We shall sit with them and agree on certain terms For the security operatives, it was a welcome and conditions, so we cannot say precisely that, this development towards addressing the challenge. is what is going to happen. But I believe Army Captain A. Ibrahim who heads many of generally they will surrender all the such operations against rustlers and bandits in the forest, said the army and weapons with them, and the stolen The forest has become animals as well,” he said. a hideout for the bandits other security outfits will collaborate and a no go area for any in this new initiative for the Speaking on the development, the persons, which also serves as betterment of the society. state chairman of Miyetti Allah, a place for the trade in stolen animals, as thousands of Malam Mannir Atiku said, the Some residents of the neighboring such animals worth billions initiative has started yielding villages believe that this new drive of Naira were lost to the has had great impact, as they can positive results. activities of such bandits. now move freely and go about their “Just recently, I received a report of a activities without much fear. woman who was kidnapped in Danmusa. I reached out to Karki and his people who For a merchant trader, Alhaji Kawu, the mobilised, and the woman was rescued alongside Tuesday weekly market was a forgone issue to him, another woman with her baby. They asked us to tell as he fears for his life attending such market. the security operatives to back off and allow us “However, you can see today is market day and I move in. They did and after some hours they came all the way from Dutsinma town to make returned with the rescued victims,” he added. some purchases.”

16 On humanitarian side, we also included two stories, both addressing Story No. 8: Soldiers, the rampant abuse of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), in particular those residing in various IDP Camps Policemen Arrested in the North-Eastern States by state agents. The first story was carried by Ejike Ejike in the Leadership for Raping Women Newspaper of 7 December 2016 on the Nigeria Police Force. Please read the story. in IDPs Camps

he police has arrested from the Ministry of Agriculture, Recall that a report by the some suspects connected Maiduguri, three from the Army Human Rights Watch indicated Tto the alleged cases of and one from the Airforce. cases of alleged sexual abuse, rape at the Internally Displaced exploitation, harassment, gender Persons (IDPs) camps, with the The IGP noted that this arrest based violence and professional Inspector General of Police followed the allegation few misconduct against IDPs in some threatening to dismiss and weeks ago by Human Rights of the North-eastern states. prosecute policemen involved in Watch, which led to the setting According to the report, there the act. up of a panel to investigate all were 43 cases of alleged abuses alleged cases of abuses and and misconduct. IGP Ibrahim Idris, while making other forms of misconduct this revelation in Abuja recently, carried out by policemen, This shows that there is justice listed those arrested to include soldiers, camp officials, a f t e r a l l a n d t h a t l a w two police officers, one prison vigilantes and others at the enfor cement agents ar e warden, two civilian JTF, a civilian various IDP camps. themselves not above the law.

17 The second and concluding story was written by Paul Obi in the Thisday Newspaper of 8 December 2016. The story was on abuses perpetrated by the military on IDPs. Please read on. Story No. 9: DHQ to Punish Soldiers Accused of Rape in IDP

Paul Obi in Abuja Camps he Nigerian Defence Headquarters attract the attention of the DHQ. Our position (DHQ) recently said, it would punish or is that such cases must be investigated and Tdismiss soldiers found culpable in the those officers involved must be thoroughly alleged raped of some women in the Internally dealt with. Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the North- east where the military is fighting the Boko “Like what happened in Maiduguri, Borno Haram insurgency. State, some time ago, a serving senior non- commissioned officer assaulted a 10-year-old The Director of Defence Information, Defence girl. He was given three years imprisonment in Headquarters, Brig. Gen. Rabe Abubakar, told addition to his dismissal from the force. These THISDAY in Abuja that the military was not are therefore offences that we do not tolerate.” taking such alleged cases of rape lightly. He added that “in the Rules of Engagement He explained the DHQ was ready to swing into (RE), there are the dos and the don'ts which are action to deal decisively with any soldier spelt out. The don'ts are the molestation, involved in the ugly incident. sexual exploitation and other abuses.

Abubakar said: “On soldiers arrested for raping “The DHQ has an internal administrative IDPs; we have said that if there is any case of mechanism to deal with such cases. After sexual harassment and abuse, it will definitely investigations are concluded and the soldiers

18 are found culpable, appropriate punishments “There could be a connectivity. Where the Boko including dismissal will be meted out,” the Haram are being disturbed, generally they director maintained. have to seek a leeway by way of movement and find new places. So, the possibility cannot be He also assured Nigerians that the Boko ruled out. Haram sects are now restricted only within the Sambisa forest. “But what the military are saying is that their movement would be extremely hard. I do not Abubakar observed that, “equally important is see them progressing beyond the North East.” the free movement now of commercial vehicles. People can now do their businesses On porous borders, Abubakar stressed that and without fear. “geographically, there is no smoke without fire. Why I say so is that we have borders that are “The economic aspect of lacking in some certain the area has also bounced levels of security presence. back. However, we are Like what happened in We have porous borders. always on the watch as Maiduguri, , some terrorists are never tired. “We have smuggling in of T h e y h a v e w a y s o f time ago, a serving senior small arms, medium arms, disguising and carrying out non-commissioned officer transborder crimes and so isolated ambushes and on. Armed robberies, attacks. We understand all assaulted a 10-year-old girl. profliglacy and others. All their antics and their He was given three years these accumulate from modus of operandi. issues having do to with imprisonment in addition to porous borders. On the issue of Improvised his dismissal from the force. Explosive Devices (IEDs These are therefore offences He also downplayed the planted on the roads to decision of some western impede the movements of that we do not tolerate. countries not to sell Nigeria the troops is also under arms to fight insurgency, consideration and we have stating that, “let us not made progress on that. We have procured paint a wrong scenario. The relevant platforms to contain that. issue of fighting insurgency transcends beyond a country. Even the most developed countries “By and large, the operations there have enter alliances to defeat insurgency. We have significantly reached a good level and we will seen this in Syria, Iraq where countries come soon eliminate all of them as we have restricted together to fight ISIS and other groups. them to the enclave of Sambisa and if you have been following, this Christmas will witness the launching of the last batch of operations.

19 CONCLUSION

This newsletter was prepared based on In a similar development, following the newspaper reports compiled by the ICIPH success achieved in Kaduna, the ICIPH had from October to December 2016. The also trained and certified a total of 31 organization shall continue to monitor and Muslims and Christian youth in Jos document all good stories whether live or metropolis. The training took place in May otherwise so that future generations would 2017 and they have since been appointed be guided and benefit from the lessons as ICIPH Peace Ambassadors for Jos contained in those stories. metropolis.

The ICIPH shall continue as a matter of The two groups of Ambassadors have been responsibility to document good stories for hooked on to the ICIPH social network and posterity and record purpose. Good stories they have already started offering useful we believe amount to “action” which suggestions on how to make peace in both people with wisdom say speaks louder than Kaduna and Jos metropolis. The ICIPH words. It is our sincere hope at the ICIPH would continue to empower the that in reading such stories, many shall be Ambassadors and to promote their inspired to make their own contribution activities to a level where they would towards the attainment of lasting peace in develop competency to handle substantial every part of Nigeria and in the North East peace issues on their own, in both Kaduna zone in particular. and Plateau States. ICIPH will continue to highlight progress of the Ambassadors in As part of our strategy to bring home this subsequent editions of this Newsletter. lasting peace in our little communities, the ICIPH has in April 2017, trained and Finally, if you are truly inspired by the certified 12 each Muslim and Christian stories, in this Newsletter, would you kindly youths in Kaduna metropolis, making a share your own personal good stories with total of 24. The youth have been appointed the ICIPH, so that we could document them as ICIPH Peace Ambassadors in Kaduna for the benefit of the larger society and with where they are already doing a great job on a view to improving architecture of peace in peace. Nigeria.

20