From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has stated that military force alone cannot eliminate insecurity in the state, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of conflict.
The governor spoke during the inauguration of the Kaduna State Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) Peace and Security Committee, calling the move a decisive step toward strengthening peace efforts.
He noted that the event was more than symbolic, marking a crucial milestone in Kaduna’s journey through conflict, resilience, and recovery.
According to him, the initiative demonstrates a deeper understanding of the complex nature of insecurity and the importance of bold, forward-looking solutions.
Sani expressed gratitude to the Office of the National Security Adviser and the National Counter-Terrorism Center for leading the development of Nigeria’s DDR framework.
He mentioned that the framework shifts from reactive responses to proactive, structured pathways for sustainable peace.
The governor pointed out that Kaduna’s selection as a pilot state highlights progress made and the responsibilities ahead.
“We are determined not only to implement but to show that peace can be deliberately built, carefully nurtured, and sustainably maintained,” he said.
He also thanked the United Kingdom’s Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria Program and other partners for their support.
Reflecting on the past, Sani said Kaduna once faced a dangerous crossroads, with bandits, kidnappers, and other criminals operating across large parts of the state.
He recalled that major highways, including the Kaduna-Abuja corridor, became zones of fear, while rural communities lived under constant threat.
He explained that his administration responded with clarity and resolve, using a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic strategies.
He described the Kaduna Peace Model as designed to address both the symptoms and root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, exclusion, and lack of economic opportunity.
Sani said the state strengthened cooperation with security agencies, improved intelligence coordination, and established forward operating bases to boost operations.
“As a result, previously unsafe routes are now safer, economic activities are rebounding, and communities are gradually regaining confidence,” he said.
The governor stressed that dialogue remains vital, noting that engagement with communities and stakeholders has helped rebuild trust and encouraged some groups to lay down their arms.
He added that markets have reopened, farmers have returned to their lands, and communities once marked by fear are rediscovering hope.
Sani explained that the newly inaugurated DDR committee will serve as a practical tool to consolidate these gains, manage transitions, and prevent a return to conflict.
Also speaking, the Director of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism at the National Counter Terrorism Center, Abimbola Wonosikou, said the committee aligns with a national framework developed following consultations across the six geopolitical zones.
She stated that these consultations, supported by the UK SPRING program, identified priorities and led to the decision that all states should establish DDR structures to implement them.
Wonosikou described the committee as a bold move, reiterating that DDR is a globally recognized strategy for removing arms, dismantling violent groups, and reintegrating affected individuals.
She said the initiative will create the foundation for reconciliation, healing, and long-term stability, adding that the NCTC will provide technical support to ensure transparency and effectiveness.
She urged committee members to act with dedication, impartiality, and compassion, emphasizing that sustainable peace depends on community trust and inclusive reintegration efforts.
