Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State inaugurated a 32-member Pastors/Imams Peace Building Committee on Monday to promote peaceful coexistence in the Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa Local Government Areas of the state.

He said the move was necessitated by the need to consolidate the peace built and sustained in the last six years.

Mr Mohammed said peaceful coexistence has recently been threatened by the actions of unpatriotic elements hiding under the cover of farmer-herder clashes to breach peace and stability.

While acknowledging that minor incidents are common, especially during the farming season, Mr Mohammed said the dimension of the recent threats in the areas was indicative of a deliberate attempt to cause disharmony.

“I will not allow anyone, no matter how highly placed, to scuttle the serenity and harmony that we have attained, upon which our development and growth lie. I will deal decisively with all shenanigans fueling this crisis.

“I want to assure the citizens of the state that we are working very hard and continuously with the security agencies to contain every situation around the state,” he said.

Mr Mohammed said the committee would embark on sensitisation activities to promote peaceful coexistence and encourage intergroup communication.

He said the committee would mediate disputes and foster dialogue between different groups and act as bridges by leading initiatives for interfaith dialogue and understanding.

The governor tasked members of the committee to utilise their religious institutions to provide platforms for community engagement and mobilisation towards peace-building efforts, influencing attitudes and behaviours.

According to Mr Mohammed, the committee is to leverage the teachings of religious sacred texts to inspire others to embrace the values of love and forgiveness and eschew hatred and violence.

Responding, Benson Bature and Imam Faidu Musa, the co-chairs of the committee, pledged to discharge their duties diligently.

Messrs Bature and Musa, who are also chairmen of the Council of Imams and Pastors in the areas, said they would cooperate with security agencies to fish out the miscreants

(NAN)