A NOIPolls Limited public opinion poll results, released on Tuesday, with focus on the Kaduna crisis, have revealed a high sense of insecurity in Kaduna South senatorial district as reported by 44 percent.
The above figure, according to the survey; formed the majority of the residents interviewed.
“Also, 34 percent of Kaduna residents confirmed that they have either lost a family member or a friend during the crisis, a deeper analysis by senatorial districts show that Kaduna South had the highest number of residents (51 percent), who recorded a loss. This is unsurprising, as it the hotbed of the conflict.
“This figure is quite worrisome, as it reflects not only the high state of insecurity in Southern Kaduna, but also the huge loss of lives incurred during the period of the conflict, as it was reported that about 800 people lost their lives and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed,” the survey said.
It also some of the causes of the conflicts in recent times.
“Some of the causes of the recent conflicts in Southern Kaduna were due to religious differences (38 percent), farmers and herdsmen misunderstanding (26 percent) and political differences (14 percent) amongst others.
“These findings further indicate that there is an urgent need to control religious intolerance and also solve the farmers and herdsmen crisis in the affected area in order for the citizens to enjoy undiluted peace that would in turn bring about growth and development of both the region and the nation.
“An assessment of Kaduna State’s residents also revealed that 45 percent rated the response of the security agent good or satisfactory when compared to other stakeholders, giving a majority hope and a good sense of security for their lives and properties.
“Interestingly, 60 percent stated that the security situation in Kaduna State has improved very much compared to two years ago, and another 56 percent affirmed that they feel secure in their present location regardless of the conflict.
“Lastly, as recommendations to prevent future conflicts in the State, residents advocated that the government should improve security in the State (35 percent), preaching of religious tolerance and peace (28 percent) and dialogue between religious leaders and stakeholders (12 percent) amongst other remedies.
“Therefore, the military base that was set up in Zango Kataf Local Government Area is in line with the people’s thoughts, and would go a long way to douse the crises rocking Southern Kaduna in recent times.
“In addition, there should be a thorough teaching of religious knowledge, from the primary level in all the national schools, with a special focus on tolerance. These were some of the key findings from the Southern Kaduna Conflict poll conducted in the week of February 1st, 2017,” the survey added.
The Southern Kaduna conflict has continued unabated over a period of three decades and half, during which many lives and properties were lost on both sides of the ethnic and religious divide.
The 2011 post-election era, which witnessed an increase in these kinds of attacks in the State, has been designated as an ethno-religious crisis given that villages, and towns in the southern part of the State have continued to experience incessant attacks by faceless groups.
“These constant attacks have recently ravaged suburbs and villages in Jama’a Local Government Area and other councils within the Southern Kaduna territory; once again, lives and properties were lost, and residents of the affected and neighbouring communities were forced to flee their homes,” it said.
The most recent attacks occurred before the yuletide season of 2016, and it is rumoured to have only ended recently, having gained the attention of the international community.
Across the Nigerian social and traditional media, there have been various theories regarding the cause of this conflict ranging from political/religious and ethnic differences to the trans-border nomadic culture of herdsmen and growing activism of host communities, especially the younger generation, who may have been told stories regarding previous conflicts thereby fuelling and promoting hate amongst parties involved in the crisis.
“Other theories as to the reason for the conflicts were: negligence or slow response on the part of the State government and the government at the centre, religious bigotry and ethnic chauvinism, especially expressed through the condemnation of others.
“The present government of the State has described as untrue the thoughts that the attacks in the southern part of the state is an orchestrated plot against Christians, stating that attacks are being carried out by some armed bandits that have been terrorising some states in the northern region.
“Another interesting theory as to why this conflict keeps re-surfacing has to do with some groups stating that religious leaders have been spreading false information on the unfortunate Southern Kaduna attacks and killings to amass foreign donations in order to enrich themselves.
“At the moment, there seems to be a return to normalcy as the military has recently established a base in the troubled area with the intention of restoring peace and security.
“In view of this background, NOIPolls conducted a survey to gauge the perception of the residents of Kaduna State regarding the conflict in Southern Kaduna; with the objective of finding out the cause of the perennial conflict and suggest ways to avert future occurrences,” it concluded.