Toto LG Chair, Yahaya assures of fair treatment to Bassa Kwomu returnees
…Warns against action capable of disrupting newfound stability
By Yahaya Idris
Following a seven-year period of displacement due to communal conflicts, the Bassa Kwomu people have begun returning to their homes in the Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
This return was officially scheduled for February 10, 2025, after extensive peace negotiations facilitated by the state government and security agencies aimed at resolving longstanding disputes with the Egbira ethnic group.
Hon. Ahmed Baba Yahaya, the Executive Chairman of Toto Local Government, has implemented
Safety and Support Measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the returnees and other citizens in the area
Yahaya has committed to collaborate with various agencies to provide essential services and support for a smooth reintegration process.
The Toto LG chairman emphasized the importance of peace and unity among communities, warning against any actions that could disrupt the newfound stability.
The local government has also established meeting points for returnees coming from different regions, facilitating their safe journey back to their ancestral homes.
Community leaders have expressed gratitude for the government’s efforts and pledged their commitment to maintaining peace and cooperation within the area
During an address to internally displaced Bassa Kwomu people at the IDP camp in Ugya, Pharmacist Ahmed Baba Yahaya reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing security and dividends to all citizens, regardless of their tribal, religious, or social affiliations, assuring that he’s focusing on providing humanitarian services to returnees.
To support his assertion, Yahaya revealed that his administration has collaborated with Honourable Ahmed Aliyu Tijani, the Federal Commissioner For National Commission for Refugees Migrant and Internally Displaced Persons, NCFRMI, to supply 600 bags of cement in support of ongoing resettlement of IDPs in Toto LG
He further noted that a similar demonstration of commitment is expected from individuals and other organisations dedicated to upholding peace in the area.
The Toto LG Chairman, alongside the management team of Institute For Integrated Transition (IFIT), facilitated a training program in Toto, aimed at equipping returnees with skills in conflict resolution and interpersonal relationship.
The IFIT coach, who led a delegation, explained that they were in Toto to provide coaching on peaceful coexistence particularly to the returnees
Our correspondent reports that the Bassa Kwomu returning to Toto LG is expected to continue as other doubting Thomas from the Bassa Kwomu speaking people are waiting to see what becomes of those that have returned to the area.
