Ending Communal Crisis In Nigeria

Nigeria has a lot of problems. One of these problems is the recurring communal crisis in the country. In spite of the efforts of the authorities to stem the tide of communal crisis, it continues to rage. Those who have made it their duty to cause crises in their various communities should think again and allow peace to reign. They should note that the nation is unimpressed with their unbecoming activities. No fewer than ten persons were reportedly killed in a fresh crisis that erupted in K-Dere and B-Dere communities in the Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.  According to the reports, many other people were injured and houses razed. This came a week after five persons were killed and two hundred houses set ablaze in a similar crisis in the same communities. The latest crisis occurred on December 28, 2010.

Those who have made it their duty to cause communal crisis in the country including Rivers State should allow peace to reign. The country is not impressed with their barbaric and bloody behaviour. Those interested in killing their fellow human beings should turn a new leaf and think of some reasonable and progressive ventures instead of shedding and spilling innocent blood at all times. What gain do we derive from shedding innocent blood? Absolutely nothing. We should therefore attempt to apply dialogue whenever there is slight disagreement. Dialogue is far better than killing one another. Killing fellow human beings does not solve any problem. Instead of solving problem, it will lead to vendetta. It is dialogue and conference that will lead to conflict resolution. We should therefore always adopt this method of conflict resolution. It is sure to give lasting solution to the crises.

The Rivers State government has inaugurated a commission of inquiry into the communal crisis in K-Dere and B-Dere. The commission was set up recently at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House, Port Harcourt. Justice B. A. Georgewill is the Chairman of the commission. Members include Mrs Inime Aguma, Ven Igwebuike Ordfu and Opuada Willine-Pepple. A principal counsel in the State Ministry of Justice is counsel to the commission while Mr Belema Mangibo is to serve as secretary. Hopefully, the commission would do a thorough job and come up with recommendations that will provide a lasting solution to the perennial communal crisis in K-Dere and B-Dere in the Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State. The commission should ascertain the real cause of this perennial crisis and suggest ways of resolving it so that peace can return to these communities.

Elsewhere in the country, communal crises abound. Not long ago, not less than 13 persons were killed during clashes between Nsadop and Boje communities in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State. Apart from this, properties worth millions of naira were destroyed. Properties destroyed included residential houses, shops, business centres and worship centres. The most affected community was Nsadop which was allegedly invaded by persons from Boje community on Monday, October 25, 2010. According to reports, there had been tension between the two communities in the past week following claims and counter-claims over ownership of a parcel of land which escalated into violent clashes due to political differences involving highly influential people in the two communities.

Dr. Tolofari is a distinguished Fellow, Institute of Corporate Adminsitration of Nigeria, Abuja.

Mann Tolofari