Governor Uba Sani has inaugurated Kaduna State's Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration Committee on Peace and Security. He pledged unwavering political backing for the initiative to work.
Officials say this is the country's first such committee. The Office of the National Security Adviser and the National Counter Terrorism Centre helped design the framework.
Speaking at the event, Sani recalled dark days. "Not long ago, Kaduna faced a dangerous moment," he said, describing how bandits and kidnappers had spread across the state.
Highway travel became treacherous then. Rural villages existed under siege, and business suffered tremendously.
According to the governor, the Kaduna-Abuja corridor and Birnin Gwari axis lost their vitality. What were once thriving trade routes turned into symbols of fear.
His administration rejected defeat, Sani explained. From day one, he noted, leaders decided to combat insecurity with purpose and inventive thinking.
"The problem's complexity demanded more than one approach," he told the gathering. The state needed both military action and non-military strategies working together.
This approach became known as the Kaduna Peace Model. It acknowledges that crime stems from deeper issues like poverty and joblessness.
Sani outlined the strategy clearly. His team paired hard security operations with investments in education, development programmes, and community dialogue.
Collaboration expanded significantly too. Working with national security leadership and armed forces commanders improved on-ground capability substantially.
Results followed, the governor stressed. "Travellers now move safely on roads once plagued by attacks," he added, noting economic recovery and growth.
But force alone won't create lasting peace. Sani emphasised this crucial reality to attendees.
"We chose dialogue as strategy, not weakness," in his words. The administration engaged traditional rulers, community figures, and reformed violent actors.
Trust gradually returned where mistrust had dominated. "Relationships were rebuilt through patient, sustained conversations," Sani maintained.
Ambassador Abimbola Wonosikou spoke next. She leads Violent Extremism Prevention at the National Counter Terrorism Centre.
The committee's launch marks important progress toward stability, she said. Kaduna and Nigeria both stand to benefit significantly.
Her organisation had organised regional consultations previously. The National Counter Terrorism Centre worked across all six geo-political zones for this effort.
The UK Strengthening Peace and Resilience programme collaborated on consultations. Teams identified common goals and regional specific needs.
Lessons from these discussions should guide national DDR policy going forward. Any framework must respect human rights principles fully.
Solutions must also reflect what local communities actually need. Wonosikou stressed that top-down approaches have repeatedly failed elsewhere.
The committee includes security experts and community representatives. Its composition reflects commitment to inclusive decision-making.
Members will design programmes helping fighters leave militant groups. Support for their families remains part of the strategy.
Education and job training form key elements. Officials hope these tools help prevent recruitment of new fighters.
Implementation begins immediately following formal inauguration. Early targets include three pilot local government areas.
Success here could reshape Nigeria's security approach broadly. Other states have expressed interest in similar models.
