*No Sign Of Genuine Readiness For Peace Here, Residents Lament
By our reporter
Shock and discouragement greeted most residents of Matazu Local Government Area (LGA) of crisis-torn Katsina State on Saturday, September 20, when a notorious terrorist kingpin, identified as Kachallah Isiya, attended a peace dialogue loaded to the hilt with dangerous weapons.
Eye witnesses said some of the weapons included Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs), General Machine Guns (GMGs), AK-47 guns, sundry ammunition, and other deadly items of a war arsenal.
Scores of persons have been killed by terrorists and kidnappers in the North-West state in the last couple of years with leaders recently exploring the option of face-to-face talks with the terrorists in a desperate bid to stave off further deaths and destruction.
In attendance at the Matazu meeting were Islamic clerics, community leaders, and leaders of dreaded terrorist groups in the area.
According to eyewitnesses, Isiya’s presence at what was supposed to be a peaceful talkshop on the way forward in the area, sparked anxiety and fear among residents.
Shocked Sheikhs and community leaders were reportedly at a loss for words over the brazen public display of deadly weapons by Isiya.
An attendee reportedly remarked: “You came to a peace talk with AK-47 rifles, RPGs, and GMGs, and you return to the bush with the same weapons. How can this be called a peace deal?”
The community leader recalled that in some parts of the State, after such so-called peace talks, the index of insecurity often shot up because none of the terrorist leaders was disarmed during the meetings even as he doubted if much progress would ensue from such parley.
The clerics and local authorities said for any progressive peace process to succeed, all parties must commit to laying aside their arms without preconditions and prioritise the safety and security of residents above personal or group interests.
They requested State governor Dikko Umar Radda and security agencies,if they were serious about taming the killings in the State, to take stiffer steps to ensure future negotiations directly lead to sustainable peace in the State tagged ‘Home of Hospitality’.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Kachallah Isiya.
