Kaduna Offers Bandits Access To Schools, Healthcare Under New Peace Model

A Shift from Force to Dialogue

Maiyaki said the initiative — officially known as the Kaduna Peace Model — marks a “bold departure” from the traditional use of force in tackling insecurity, focusing instead on dialogue, trust-building, and community development.

“You cannot bomb peace into existence; you must build it with trust,” he told participants at the workshop.

The commissioner clarified that the state government is not paying ransoms or rewarding bandits but is creating conditions for normal life to return to affected rural communities.

“The turning point came when leaders of armed groups made a specific request: reopening of rural markets, schools, and healthcare centres previously shut down because of persistent attacks,” he explained.
“We agreed because these are basic human needs, not ransom payments. We didn’t give them a dime. What we gave was life back to communities.”

Kaduna’s Insecurity in Numbers

Providing a sobering overview of the state’s security situation over the past decade, Maiyaki revealed that between 2015 and 2023, Kaduna recorded:

1,160 security incidents
4,876 deaths
Thousands kidnapped or displaced
142 schools and 192 health facilities shut down at the height of attacks

He noted that in 2021 alone, the state witnessed 1,192 killings and 3,348 abductions, statistics that plunged several communities into fear and isolation.

“Kaduna was once labelled a ‘red zone’ by the international community,” he said. “We are now working to change that narrative.”

The Kaduna Peace Model and National Collaboration

The commissioner said the peace-building framework is being implemented jointly with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) through a collaborative body known as the ONSA–Kaduna Peace Committee.

The partnership, according to him, has facilitated the safe release of over 500 captives without any ransom payment or military confrontation.

“We are seeing trust where there was fear, and cooperation where there was hostility,” Maiyaki stated, expressing optimism that the model is beginning to yield tangible results.

Restoring Humanity, Not Rewarding Crime

Maiyaki stressed that the Kaduna Peace Model should not be mistaken for leniency toward criminality.

“This is not about rewarding crime; it’s about restoring humanity and reviving abandoned communities,” he said.

He added that the initiative prioritises intelligence sharing, dialogue, and socio-economic inclusion, which the state believes are essential for lasting peace.

Media Urged to Support Peace-Building

The commissioner also called on journalists to adopt peace-sensitive reporting, urging the media to play a constructive role in easing community tensions and promoting reconciliation.

“The media must be partners in rebuilding trust,” he said. “Peace journalism is not about hiding the truth but about reporting responsibly to heal, not inflame, divisions.”

Context

The Kaduna Peace Model comes amid a broader national shift toward integrating non-kinetic approaches into Nigeria’s counterinsurgency and anti-banditry strategies. Security experts have long argued that a balance of force and dialogue is essential for sustainable peace, particularly in conflict-prone areas of northern Nigeria.