Enugu Hausa Leader vows to end Herdsmen, Farmers persistent conflict

Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu

Amidst growing fears about the activities of suspected Fulani herdsmen in Enugu state, the newly elected leader of the Hausa community in the state, Alhaji Idris Ardo, said on Monday that the major thrust of his reign would be to ensure peaceful co-existence between the northerners living in the area and their host communities.

He also pledged to ensure that the recent invasion and killing of scores of people at Nimbo Community of Uzo-Uwani council of Enugu state by suspected herders did not repeat itself.

The Sarikin Hausawa also asked both the northern community and the entire people of Enugu State to give maximum support to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s government to enable it succeed and provide democratic dividends to the citizens.

Briefing newsmen in Enugu on the main priority of his reign, Alhaji Ardo, who is the son of the immediate past Sarikin Hausawa of Enugu and Chairman of Northern Traditional Council of Chiefs in South-East and South-South, the late Alhaji Haruna Sule, said no meaningful progress or development could be achieved except in an atmosphere of peace and harmony, and appealed to the people to always live in peace with their neighbours.

Born over 50 years ago in Enugu, the new Sarekin Hausawa said over the years Enugu, more than any other place in the defunct East Central State has always been known as the most peaceful area in the region.

“I was born in Enugu over 50 years ago. We live in Coal camp. In East Central State, generally, there is no place as peaceful as Enugu State because we’ve been living with the Igbos for years. We don’t have problem with them,” he said, adding: “They crowned me as the Chief of Hausa community in Enugu State and I want to assure the whole people of Enugu State that we should join hands together and move Enugu State forward.”

He added: “We are praying to God that as far as I remain the leader of the northern community in Enugu, let God help us to continue living together in harmony with our Igbo brothers.”

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