By Hassan Zaggi
The Bassa Community of Nasarawa State have expressed concern over the gruesome attack on the peaceful residents of Katapka village, in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The unfortunate and senseless attack resulted to the killing of three people and the destruction of property worth millions of naira.
The Bassa Community, have, therefore, called on the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, as the Chief Security Officer of the state, to use his good offices to fish out the perpetrators of these criminal attacks so that peace can return to Toto Local Government Area.
In a statement signed by the Chairman, Nasarawa State Bassa Cultural and Development Union (BCDU), Emmanuel M. Gbaji, on Sunday, the group lamented that the attack on Katakpa village came just few days after a similar attack on Okudu village, still in Toto Local Government area.
While condoling with the families and relatives of those who loss their lives during the senseless attack, the Bassa Community of Nasarawa State “condemn the attack as lawless, godless and a calculated attempt to frustrate and hinder the Peaceful Return and Resettlement of the Displaced Bassa Community.
“The attacks are part of a satanic project to make PEACEFUL DIALOGUE between the Bassa and Egbira communities impossible.”
The Bassa Community, therefore, queried that: Why are these attacks coming now after we have had over four years of relative peace in Toto Local Government Area? Why are these attacks coming when our Royal Fathers are meeting to resolve all the outstanding disputes? Who are those behind these attacks? What are their motives?
“We want to assure the whole world that the entire Bassa Community of Nasarawa State and Toto LGA in particular, have chosen the peace option.
“We also want to send our deep sympathies to the Royal Fathers, the Executive Chairman of Toto Local Government Area and the elders and youth of the Katakpa Community.
“We urge them NOT TO BE DISCOURAGED by this unfortunate setback. We are firmly resolved to live in peace with them. WE are NOT being deceitful. WE are sincere. It is natural to want to seek revenge, but in this case, seeking revenge will only create the atmosphere of chaos that the wicked brains behind the whole crisis want.”
The Bassa Community further enjoined its neighbors “to please help us to actualize the Peace Process and Initiatives being worked out by the Royal Fathers under the leadership of His Excellency, Engr. A. A Sule. Seeking revenge now will only make the enemies of the Peace Process to win.”
