Francis Sani, chairman of Zangon Kataf council area in Kaduna, says the council is working with community stakeholders to address renewed attacks on residents.

In an interview on Tuesday, Mr Sani said the move was necessary to end the killings as residents have begun deserting their farms over fears of being killed.

“The situation has drastically affected agricultural production; people no longer go to the farm for fear of being killed,” Mr Sani said.

He explained that the council was working with community structures like the community development associations and religious and community leaders to find local solutions to the security challenges.

Recalling that several people were killed on their farmlands weeks ago, he said the lingering insecurity had brought all development initiatives to a standstill.

“Wherever there is no peace, wherever there is insecurity, there is no way such a community will develop,” the council chair explained. “That is why we need to strengthen our efforts as the governance structure at the local level. We need to work with community members and their leaders to find local solutions to our collective problem.”

The LG boss lamented that resources that would have been injected into development activities were being channelled into addressing the fallouts of the crises.

He said that more than 20 survivors of the attacks were receiving treatment, adding that the victims needed help.

Mr Sani said that those whose houses and food were destroyed by the attackers also required some help to rebuild their lives, urging the state and federal government to come to their aid.

“We are doing our best. But we cannot do it alone. We need help. We need peace and stability to develop as a people,” the chairman said.

The Atyap Community Development Association, on May 1 organised a press conference where it called on the government and the international community to come to their aid.

(NAN)