Zamfara advocates victims support fund for banditry victims, as key to peace-building

The Zamfara State Government has called for the establishment of the Victims Support Fund as an integral part of the wider security and peacebuilding framework.

The Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Mohammed Nakwada, made the call during his acceptance speech as Chairman of the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) Peace and Security Committee.

The Committee was inaugurated on Monday by Governor Dauda Lawal, represented by his deputy, Mani Malam Mummuni, at the Grand Chamber, Government House, Gusau.

The SSG also reiterated that the activities and approach of the Committee will be anchored on the resolve of the Governor Lawal administration 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.

“Equally important, our DDR framework must never create the perception that those who took up violence are rewarded while their victims are forgotten.

“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,” the SSG said.

“There is therefore an urgent need for a well-structured Zamfara State Victims Support Fund framework as an integral component of our wider peace and security architecture.

“Such a framework should provide transparent and coordinated support for victims and communities affected by violence, including rehabilitation, psychosocial support, restoration of livelihoods, support for vulnerable families, education and community recovery,” he added.

Immediately after the inauguration of the Committee, the SSG led a joint delegation including the Intermediate-UK, Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) and other peacebuilding teams 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 peacebuilding in the Northwestern region.

Earlier, the former Colombian National Security Advisor, Sergio Jaramillo, said their teams would partner with the Zamfara State Government and other stakeholders in developing a workable strategy that will help in addressing the state’s security challenges.

“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,” he said.

“The problem of crime can never disappear, but we can reduce it,” Amb. Jaramillo added.

The joint delegation also included General Alberto Mejía (rtd), former Commander of the Colombian Armed Forces; General Felix Gedney (rtd), former British Defence and National Security Advisor to the Sultan of Oman; Dr Eleanor Beevor, Interpeace Project Director, West and Central Africa; Brig Gen Yusuf Ali, Coordinator, Operation Safe Corridor; and Abimbola Wonuola, Director, PCVE, among other security experts and stakeholders.