Egbura Koto signed agreement for Bassa kwomu to return to Nassarawa

JOINT MEETING OF EXCELLENCY, UMARU TANKO AL-MAKURA, GOVERNOR OF NASARAWA STATE AND THE COMMANDER, OPERATION WHIRL STROKE, MAJOR GENERAL MA YEKINI WITH STAKEHOLDERS OF EGBURA AND BASSA ETHNIC GROUPS OF TOTO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ON THE LINGERING COMMUNAL CONFLICT BETWEEN THE TWO ETHNIC GROUPS, HELD AT THE CONFERENCE HALL OF THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE, LAFIA: TUESDAY, 26TH MARCH, 2019

COMMUNIQUE

Pursuant to the commitment of the Administration of His Excellency, Umaru Tanko Al-makura, Governor of Nasarawa State and the desire of the Commander, Operation WHIRL STROKE, Major General MA Yekini, to finding lasting solutions to the lingering communal conflict between the Bassa and Egbura ethnic groups of Toto Local Government Area of the State.

1. A stakeholders’ meeting was held on Tuesday, 26th March, 2019 at the Government House, Lafia. The meeting was superintended by His Excellency, the Governor of Nasarawa State and supported by the Commander, Operation WHIRL STROKE. Other participants in attendance at the meeting included: Heads of Security Agencies in the State; elected members of National and the State Houses of Assembly; political appointees; the Executive Chairman of Toto Local Government Council; Paramount Rulers as well as prominent sons of the two ethnic groups.

2. The representatives of the two ethnic groups commended His Excellency, the Governor of Nasarawa State for his untiring commitment to finding enduring peace and harmonious co-existence between the two groups. Similarly, the two groups also expressed satisfaction with the activities of the Operation WHIRL STROKE in the area.

3. Having reviewed the persistent conflict between the two (2) major ethnic groups in the Local Government Area, as well as after a frank and brotherly discussions, the two (2) groups resolved as follows:
   i. Commended His Excellency, the Governor of Nasarawa State for providing relief materials, which include food items, clothing, among other essential items to the two (2) ethnic groups to cushion the effects of their hardships arising from recent skirmishes in the area;

ii. Agreed to support the State Government and the Operation WHIRL STROKE towards their commitments to restore peace and harmonious co-existence between the two ethnic groups in Toto Local Government Area for the purposes of socio-economic development and progress of the area;

iii. Agreed to support the efforts and work with the Operation WHIRL STROKE towards mopping up illegal arms and other dangerous weapons in the area;

iv. The two ethnic groups accepted to set up Joint Peace and Reconciliation Committees in their various localities under the supervision of Commander, Operation WHIRL STROKE to be represetend by Gade, Gbagyi/Gwaris, Hausa, Fulani, Gana-Gana/Nupe and Agatu in the Local Government Area under the supervision of the Operation WHIRL STROKE not later than 5th of April, 2019;

v. The two groups further agreed to stop attacks and reprisal attacks on each other in the interest of peace and progress of their areas with immediate effect;

vi. The security Agencies will review the status of the road blocks mounted on routes to some villages on both sides and to act appropriately, pending the return of Bassa to their communities when a new security architecture would be put in place;

vii. Henceforth, customs, values and traditions of the Egbura and Bassa should not only be observed without hindrance, but also must be respected by the two groups;

viii. The two groups have also accepted that, the Bassa should return back to their places of abode in Toto Local Government Area and that the Nasarawa State Government and the Operation WHIRL STROKE should spearhead the exercise in this regard. The process for the return of the Bassa should be between 30th April to 15th May, 2019, the Egbura group is to consult their paramount rulers and report back to Government on or before Monday, 1st April, 2019;

ix. A Joint Committee with the two groups and other ethnic groups made up Gade, Gbagyi/Gbari, Hausa/Fulani, Gana-Gana/Nupe and Agatu be set up to workout modalities for the return of the Bassa in liaison with the Nasarawa State Government and the Operation WHIRL STROKE;

x. The issue of Bassa Chiefdom be looked into with a view to giving it effect. The Nasarawa State Government and the Joint Committee of Bassa and Egbura ethnic groups to hold Consultative Meetings with a view to resolving the chieftaincy issue on or between 30th April to 15th May, 2019; and

xi. The Hon. Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs should look into the issue of the non-receipt of salaries of all the recognised Village Heads of Bassa extraction.

Bassa Ethnic Group
Amb. Samuel Wodi Jimba
Mr. Gwantana Dogwo

Egbura Ethnic Group
Alh. Isa Ahmed Bukar
Barr. Muhammed Zubeiru