By Donatus Nadi, Lafia
Bassa and Egbura ethnic nationalities in Nasarawa state have finally agreed to lay down their swords after decades communal clashes that has claimed hundreds of lives and property. 
Their position was contained in a communique issued in Lafia after a joint meeting of the two communities and the commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General M. A Yekini at the instance of Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura.
The communique, jointly signed by Amb. Samuel Wodi Jimba and Mr. Gwantana Dogwo for the Bassa ethnic group and  Alh. Isa Ahmed Bukar and Barr. Muhammed Zubeiru for Egbura, reads in part: “The Bassa and Egbura have agreed to support the efforts and work with the Operation WHIRL STROKE towards mopping up illegal arms and other dangerous weapons in the area”.
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.
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.
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.