From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
After nearly a decade of banditry and violence, residents of the Giwa Local Government Area in Kaduna State are expressing their delight over the relative peace now experienced in their communities.
During a strategic engagement meeting with stakeholders on Kaduna’s Peace Model—a non-kinetic approach aimed at restoring hope in a community plagued by years of banditry, kidnapping, and cattle rustling—Ardon Zazzau Umar Abubakar Sadik, representing the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, noted that the people of Giwa are smiling, children are playing, and markets are bustling with activity, all thanks to the recent peace.
However, he lamented the persistence of certain criminal activities, such as motorcycle and phone snatching, and called on the government and security forces to address these issues.
He expressed gratitude to the state government for the peace pact and prayed for its sustained enforcement.
Similarly, the Village Head of Kidandan, Abubakar Umar Runka, described the peace agreement brokered by the state government as a significant step toward achieving peaceful coexistence. He mentioned that the pact, facilitated by the federal government and security agencies, has led to a notable reduction in violence and banditry in his community, allowing him to sleep soundly in his home for the first time in ten years.
Ardo Bashiru praised the Peace Dialogue Committee for its commitment to ensuring that the agreements reached in the peace accord are respected. “We assure Governor Uba Sani and NSA Ribadu that we will uphold the peace pact and work toward peaceful coexistence with our neighbors,” he promised. He also called for fairness and inclusion of all individuals in government projects to ensure equal treatment for everyone.
The Chairman of Miyetti Allah Giwa LGA, Abdullahi Fulani, expressed his joy over the peace initiative, voicing optimism about its sustainability.
He urged the establishment of similar committees at the local government level to complement the state government’s efforts and called on the government to provide empowerment interventions for repentant bandits.
Speaking on behalf of the security agencies and the military, Kaduna State Commissioner of Police Mohammed Rabi’u described the non-kinetic approach to tackling insecurity adopted by the governor as unprecedented, citing that similar processes have worked in other countries. He implored the people of the state to support the government in maintaining peace and security for progress.
In his remarks, Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani (CON), represented by his Chief of Staff, Mallam Sani Kila, observed that the peace deal is already yielding positive results. He noted that the meeting was a follow-up to ensure total peace is restored to the local government area. He confirmed that the “Kaduna Peace Model” is positively impacting the people, with many now able to access their farmland without fear of attack.
