Ribadu Endorses Kaduna Peace Model, Urges States to Embrace Dialogue in Tackling Insecurity
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has called on Nigerian states to replicate the “Kaduna Peace Model” in their fight against insecurity, insisting that the country’s security challenges cannot be solved through the use of force alone.
Ribadu made this known while speaking on the federal government’s evolving strategy against insurgency, banditry, and other forms of violence plaguing various regions.
He stressed that while military operations remain necessary, the long-term solution to Nigeria’s security crisis lies in community-based peace initiatives, dialogue, and socio-economic development.
“The fight against insecurity cannot be won by bullets alone,” Ribadu declared. “We must address the root causes of violence and rebuild trust in communities. That is what Kaduna is doing, and it is working.”
The NSA specifically praised Kaduna State’s recent achievements under Governor Uba Sani, where a peace model involving non-kinetic interventions has led to a reduction in violent attacks, especially in conflict-ridden areas like Birnin Gwari.
The Kaduna model employs a blend of grassroots dialogue, disarmament, and reintegration programs—combined with the reopening of rural markets and revitalization of economic life in previously inaccessible communities.
Through peace talks facilitated by a local Peace Dialogue Group and the strategic rehabilitation of former fighters, the state has recorded improved security and economic revival in areas previously ravaged by banditry. Ribadu acknowledged the reopening of markets in Birnin Gwari and Kidandan as a sign of renewed public confidence and normalcy returning to the region.
He cited these efforts as examples of how a collaborative, whole-of-society approach—engaging traditional leaders, civil society, youth groups, and vigilante networks—can be more effective than relying solely on conventional force.
The NSA also referenced recent security operations coordinated between the federal government and Kaduna State, such as the rescue and safe return of 59 kidnap victims earlier this year.
The successful handover operation, according to Ribadu, demonstrated the positive outcomes of strong state-federal synergy backed by a peace-first mindset.
Kaduna’s model, he said, offers a replicable framework that other states should consider adapting based on their local contexts.
“We need more states to own their security process—not just by deploying security operatives, but by investing in peace, justice, and inclusion,” Ribadu said.
Governor Uba Sani, who has consistently promoted the Kaduna Peace Accord as a model for restoring rural security, previously described the initiative as “dialogue-driven, community-centered, and results-oriented.” He has called on other governors—particularly those in conflict-prone areas—to explore similar peace-building measures.
Ribadu’s endorsement of the Kaduna approach signals a potential shift in national security thinking, one that integrates dialogue, rehabilitation, and economic empowerment into the broader fight against insecurity. As the government continues to refine its security architecture, many observers see Kaduna’s success as a beacon of hope for conflict resolution across Nigeria’s troubled regions.
