Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fairness and justice as essential tools for achieving sustainable peace and development.
During a visit to Birnin Gwari on Thursday, the governor reopened the cattle market, which had been shut for nearly a decade due to insecurity. He also welcomed the first set of repentant bandits who have embraced peace under the state’s ongoing rehabilitation program.
Key Highlights
Peace Dialogue and Disarmament:
- The Kaduna State Government, in collaboration with federal agencies, established a Peace Dialogue Group to engage stakeholders.
- Senior bandit leaders and their followers have surrendered arms, signaling a commitment to peace.
Rehabilitation Programme:
- The state is enrolling the repentant bandits in a comprehensive rehabilitation scheme in partnership with the Federal Government.
- The program follows international standards for disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) to reintegrate former combatants as productive citizens.
Carrot-and-Stick Approach:
- While promoting peace, Governor Sani warned of strict consequences for those who continue engaging in violence.
- Security agencies have made significant progress, including neutralizing bandit kingpins and dismantling criminal networks.
The Kaduna Model:
- The administration is developing a “Kaduna Model,” a holistic framework combining disarmament, rural development, and conflict resolution to address insecurity’s root causes.
Unity and Trust:
- Governor Sani emphasized that strategic communication and inclusive governance have reduced insecurity and improved ethno-religious relations.
- Communities now support peacebuilding initiatives, fostering greater harmony.
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Economic Revival and Security
Governor Sani highlighted that the revitalization of the rural economy depends on sustained security efforts. The reopening of the Birnin Gwari cattle market is a significant step toward restoring economic activities and rebuilding trust in the region.
“Through strategic communication and inclusive governance, we have earned the trust and confidence of our people,” the governor said, adding that insecurity and tensions are decreasing while collaboration among diverse communities is increasing.
