Insecurity: Kaduna Gov Inaugurates State’s New Committee to Enhance Security

…Tagged Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

Governor Uba Sani has inaugurated the Kaduna State Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR), Peace and Security Committee, vowing to provide the political will for its success.

The framework of the committee, which is the first of its kind to be inaugurated in the country, was facilitated by the Office of the National Security Adviser and the National Counter Terrorism Centre, according to a statement by the governor’s media aide, Ibraheem Musa.

Speaking at the ceremony, the governor recalled that not long ago, Kaduna State stood at a precarious crossroads, where criminal elements, including bandits and kidnappers, had entrenched themselves across vast areas of the state.

“Our highways became theatres of fear, our rural communities lived under constant threat, and economic activity was severely constrained.

“The Kaduna–Abuja corridor and the Birnin Gwari axis, which were once vital arteries of movement and commerce, became emblematic of insecurity,” he said.

Governor Sani noted that from the outset, his administration resolved to confront insecurity not with resignation, but with clarity, courage, and innovation.

According to him, the complexity of the problem required more than a single approach, demanding a balance of kinetic and non-kinetic strategies that address both the symptoms and root causes of conflict.

“This conviction gave rise to what is now widely referred to as the Kaduna Peace Model,” he said.

He explained that the model recognises insecurity as a symptom of deeper structural challenges such as poverty, exclusion, lack of education, and limited economic opportunities.

“In confronting these realities, we have combined robust security operations with deliberate investments in human development, dialogue, and community engagement.

“Through enhanced collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the leadership of our Armed Forces, we strengthened operational capacity on the ground.

“Today, travellers once again move with confidence along previously perilous routes, and economic activity has not only been restored but has also increased,” he added.

The governor stressed that force alone cannot guarantee lasting peace, noting that dialogue remains a critical tool in stabilisation efforts.

“It is in this context that we embraced dialogue—not as a concession, but as a strategic instrument of stability.

“Through sustained engagement with community leaders, traditional institutions, and even those willing to renounce violence, we began to rebuild trust where it had long been broken,” he said.

In her remarks, the Director of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism at the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Ambassador Abimbola Wonosikou, described the inauguration as a milestone toward sustainable peace, security, and development in Kaduna State and Nigeria.

She disclosed that the centre had conducted regional consultations across the six geopolitical zones in collaboration with the United Kingdom’s Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (UK-SPRiNG) programme.

According to her, the consultations identified shared priorities, regional differences, and key lessons to guide the development of an integrated national DDR framework aligned with state-level needs.

She added that one of the resolutions from the consultations was the establishment of institutional frameworks and coordination mechanisms for DDR, peace, and security at the state level.

“Therefore, the establishment of this committee is not merely a bureaucratic exercise; it is a bold and practical step toward addressing the root causes of insecurity,” she said.

Wonosikou noted that by removing arms from circulation, dismantling violent structures, and reintegrating affected individuals into society, the initiative would promote reconciliation, healing, and long-term stability.

Earlier, the Technical Adviser on the National DDR Framework Development and Harmonisation Process, Dr. Paul Nyulaku, emphasised the importance of dialogue in resolving conflicts.

He commended Governor Sani’s reconciliatory efforts, noting that they have been widely recognised, particularly in fostering peace across ethnic and religious divides.

Nyulaku added that Kaduna State is the first subnational entity to establish a DDR, Peace and Security Committee, congratulating the governor for the initiative.

“The recommendation for establishing the committee was part of resolutions reached at the North-West DDR Regional Consultation, which also informed the development of the National DDR Framework currently awaiting approval,” he said.

He disclosed that the framework contains 17 pillars, including political dialogue and negotiation, and provides clear guidelines for implementation.

According to him, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), tools, and templates have also been developed to support the committee’s work.

“We will continue to provide the technical assistance needed to ensure the success of the committee,” he added.