The Zamfara State Government has called for the establishment of a Victims’ Support Fund as a key component of the state’s security and peacebuilding framework.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Malam Abubakar Mohammed Nakwada, made the call while accepting his appointment as Chairman of the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) Peace and Security Committee inaugurated in Gusau.
Governor Dauda Lawal, represented by his deputy, Malam Mani Malam Mummuni, inaugurated the committee at the Government House.
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Nakwada said the committee’s activities would be guided by the administration’s commitment to pursuing reconciliation within the rule of law without compromising justice, accountability or community security.
According to him, the state 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.
The SSG stressed that the DDR process should not create the impression that individuals who took up arms were being rewarded while victims of violence were neglected.
“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.
“Reintegration must therefore proceed alongside victim recovery, community rehabilitation and restoration of public confidence,” he stated.
Nakwada said there was an urgent need for a well-structured Zamfara State Victims’ Support Fund as part of the broader peace and security architecture.
He explained that the framework should provide transparent and coordinated support for victims and communities affected by violence, including rehabilitation, psychosocial support, livelihood restoration, assistance to vulnerable families, education and community recovery.
Following the inauguration, the SSG led a joint delegation comprising representatives of Interpeace-UK, Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) and other peacebuilding stakeholders on an inspection of the North-West DDR Camp for Operation Safe Corridor in Tsafe.
The multi-billion-naira facility was donated by the Zamfara State Government as part of efforts to support peacebuilding initiatives in the North-West.
Earlier, former Colombian National Security Adviser, Ambassador Sergio Jaramillo, said his team would collaborate with the Zamfara State Government and other stakeholders to develop practical strategies for addressing the state’s security challenges.
Jaramillo noted that the security situation in Zamfara shared similarities with challenges previously experienced in Colombia, stressing that the ultimate goal was to improve the lives of affected communities.
“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.
“I want to see how we can help and also learn. There are more things we can do together.
“The problem of crime can never disappear, but we can reduce it,” he said.
The delegation included retired General Alberto Mejía, former Commander of the Colombian Armed Forces; retired General Felix Gedney, former British Defence and National Security Adviser to the Sultan of Oman; Dr Eleanor Beevor, Interpeace Project Director for West and Central Africa; Brigadier General Yusuf Ali, Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor; and Ambassador Abimbola Wonuola, Director of PCVE, among other security experts and stakeholders.
