Zamfara Seeks Victims’ Support Funds To Boost Peace Building

Zamfara State government has called for the immediate establishment of a Victims Support Fund as a core part of its security and peacebuilding framework in the state.

The secretary to the state government (SSG), Malam Abubakar Mohammed Nakwada, made the call on Monday in Gusau during his acceptance speech as chairman of the newly inaugurated Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) Peace and Security Committee.

A statement signed yesterday by Suleman Ahmad Tudu, senior special assistant (Media), Office of the Secretary to the State Government said the 15-member committee was inaugurated by Governor Dauda Lawal, represented by his deputy, Malam Mani Malam Mummuni, at the Grand Chamber, Government House, Gusau.

Nakwada said the activities of the committee would be anchored on the Dauda Lawal administration’s resolve that “reconciliation must be pursued from a position of strength, within the rule of law and without compromising justice, accountability or the security of our communities.

“We must work towards a structured, credible and nationally aligned DDR framework that complements ongoing security operations, facilitates genuine disarmament and reintegration, strengthens community resilience and delivers measurable improvements in peace and security,” he said.

The SSG stressed that the DDR process must not create the impression that perpetrators of violence are rewarded while victims are abandoned.

“For peace to be credible and sustainable, victims must see themselves at the centre of the peacebuilding process. DDR cannot be complete if we focus only on those laying down arms without addressing those who have borne the consequences,” Nakwada stated.

He added that reintegration must proceed alongside victim recovery, community rehabilitation and restoration of public confidence.

The SSG said there was an “urgent need” for a well-structured Zamfara State Victims Support Fund to provide transparent and coordinated support for persons affected by banditry.

The proposed fund, he said, should cover rehabilitation, psychosocial support, restoration of livelihoods, support for vulnerable families, education and overall community recovery.

Immediately after the inauguration, Nakwada led a joint delegation of local and international partners to inspect the Northwest DDR Camp for Operation Safe Corridor located in Tsafe.

The multi-billion-naira facility was donated by the Zamfara State Government as part of its commitment to regional peacebuilding.

The delegation included international experts such as former Colombian National Security Advisor, Amb. Sergio Jaramillo, who said Colombia faced similar challenges and was ready to partner with Zamfara.

“The problem you are facing today is exactly the same problem we faced in Colombia. Our aim is to make the lives of the people better… The problem of crime can never disappear, but we can reduce it,” Jaramillo said.

Other members of the delegation included Gen. Alberto Mejía (rtd), former Commander of the Colombian Armed Forces; Gen. Felix Gedney (rtd), former British Defence Advisor; Dr. Eleanor Beevor of Interpeace; Brig. Gen. Yusuf Ali, Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor; and Amb. Abimbola Wonuola, Director of PCVE.