The Kaduna State government has adopted a novel approach to combat years of violence and kidnappings by offering bandits access to education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities. This initiative, known as the Kaduna Peace Model, marks a deliberate shift from confrontation to conversation, focusing on restoring humanity through dialogue and development, according to the state’s Commissioner for Information, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki.
Maiyaki disclosed the program at a Peace Journalism workshop organized by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, in collaboration with the Global Peace Foundation Nigeria and the Ministry of Information. He emphasized that building trust is crucial, stating, “You cannot bomb peace into existence; you must build it with trust.” The turning point came when leaders of armed groups asked the government to reopen markets, schools, and health centres that had been closed because of insecurity. The government agreed, noting that these are basic human needs, not ransom payments.
Between 2015 and 2023, Kaduna recorded 1,160 security incidents, resulting in 4,876 deaths and thousands of kidnappings or displacements. In 2021 alone, 1,192 people were killed and 3,348 abducted, forcing the closure of 142 schools and 192 health facilities. However, through a non‑kinetic approach anchored on intelligence sharing, dialogue, and socio‑economic inclusion—partnered with the Office of the National Security Adviser—Kaduna is gradually reclaiming its image. The joint ONSA‑Kaduna Peace Committee has safely released over 500 captives via negotiations, without any ransom payment or use of force.
Maiyaki noted, “We are seeing trust where there was fear, and cooperation where there was hostility.” This strategy has yielded positive results, shifting the state from being labeled a “red zone” by the international community to a more stable environment. The Kaduna Peace Model stands as a testament to the effectiveness of dialogue and development in addressing security challenges, and its continued implementation is likely to have a lasting impact on the region’s stability and security.
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