Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State welcomed a group of former bandits who have renounced violence during a visit to Birnin Gwari on Thursday.
As part of his efforts to restore stability, he also reopened a cattle market that had been closed for nearly a decade due to security concerns.
The governor emphasized his commitment to ensuring equity for all residents, including farmers, herders, and traders, as part of broader efforts to promote peace and development in the region.
He highlighted the creation of a Peace Dialogue Group in collaboration with federal agencies to engage key stakeholders in fostering lasting peace.
Sani noted that several prominent bandit leaders, along with their followers, had surrendered their weapons and committed to peace.
These individuals are now enrolled in a government-led rehabilitation program, developed in partnership with the Federal Government, which aligns with international standards for disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration.
The program aims to reintegrate them as constructive members of society.
The governor stressed that while his administration is open to reconciliation, it operates on a “carrot and stick” principle, welcoming those who choose peace but taking firm action against anyone who continues to engage in violence.
He praised the efforts of security, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies in dismantling criminal networks, neutralizing key bandit leaders, and rescuing victims of kidnappings.
Governor Sani also unveiled the “Kaduna Model,” a comprehensive framework for achieving lasting peace and security.
This approach combines disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration with initiatives for rural development and conflict resolution to address both the symptoms and underlying causes of insecurity.
Highlighting the progress made under his leadership, Sani stated that insecurity in the state has significantly decreased, while ethno-religious tensions and farmer-herder conflicts have diminished.
He credited strategic communication and inclusive governance for building trust among diverse communities, which are now united in their support for the government’s peacebuilding efforts.