News
Nigeria Accelerates Peace Reform Drive as Stakeholders Push for Adoption of National Peace Policy
Nigeria Accelerates Peace Reform Drive as Stakeholders Push for Adoption of National Peace Policy
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria has intensified efforts to establish a unified national framework for peacebuilding as top security and governance stakeholders convened in Abuja for the Second High-Level Expert Dialogue on the Draft National Peace Policy (NPP), aimed at overhauling the country’s fragmented conflict management system.
The dialogue, convened by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) in partnership with the Office of Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE) and Triple Peace Africa, brought together policymakers, security experts, academics, civil society leaders, and development partners to refine and advance the proposed national framework.
Opening discussions, the Director-General of IPCR, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, said Nigeria’s worsening and interconnected security challenges make the adoption of a coherent peace policy both urgent and unavoidable.
He pointed to the persistence of insurgency in the Northeast, farmer-herder conflicts in the Northcentral, separatist tensions in the Southeast, and widespread banditry and kidnapping in the Northwest, warning that the cumulative impact of these crises continues to strain national cohesion.

According to him, the spread of small arms, coupled with weakening trust between communities and institutions, has further deepened insecurity and undermined local resilience mechanisms.
Ochogwu stressed that Nigeria can no longer depend on scattered and uncoordinated interventions, insisting that only a unified, evidence-driven framework can deliver sustainable peace outcomes.
“What we require now is a nationally owned system that coordinates all peacebuilding actors, eliminates duplication, and ensures that interventions are measurable, accountable, and impactful at community level,” he said.
He explained that the Draft National Peace Policy is the outcome of extensive nationwide consultations spanning all six geopolitical zones, incorporating input from traditional rulers, civil society organisations, academic experts, government institutions, and community stakeholders.
Describing the document as a strategic shift in approach, he said the policy is designed to reposition peacebuilding from reactive crisis response to a preventive and development-oriented system anchored on data, early warning, and institutional coordination.
A major gap the policy seeks to address, he noted, is the absence of a central coordinating structure for peace initiatives across the country, a situation he said has resulted in duplication of efforts, institutional competition, and inefficient use of resources.
The proposed framework, he added, will integrate peacebuilding into core sectors including security, justice, education, health, agriculture, and governance, ensuring a whole-of-government approach to conflict prevention and stability.
Ochogwu further highlighted that the policy aligns with global and regional frameworks such as the United Nations Sustaining Peace Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals—particularly SDG 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions—the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework.
He said this alignment reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to international best practices while positioning the country as a potential leader in structured peacebuilding across Africa.
Participants at the dialogue emphasised that the success of the policy will depend on strong political will, clear institutional roles, sustainable financing mechanisms, and effective coordination across all levels of government.

They warned that without decisive implementation structures, the policy risks becoming another well-crafted but inactive document.
Ochogwu urged stakeholders to take collective responsibility for the process, describing them as critical actors in shaping Nigeria’s peace architecture and cautioning against institutional silos that weaken national response systems.
He reaffirmed IPCR’s readiness to work with federal and state governments, peacebuilding agencies, civil society organisations, the private sector, and international partners to ensure the policy is finalised, adopted, and implemented without delay.
He maintained that Nigeria’s stability depends on deliberate and coordinated action, stressing that the time for policy adoption and implementation is now.
Analysts say the push for a National Peace Policy could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s conflict management strategy, shifting the country from reactive security responses to a more structured, preventive, and sustainable peace framework.
Nigeria Accelerates Peace Reform Drive as Stakeholders Push for Adoption of National Peace Policy
News
Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram
Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Government has distributed relief materials to 434 indigenes of Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area who were recently rescued by security agencies after spending three months in Boko Haram captivity.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum visited the victims in Pulka on Monday and directed the immediate distribution of food and non-food items to support their recovery and reintegration.

In compliance with the Governor’s directive, the Director General of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Ali Abdullahi Isa, promptly supervised the distribution exercise.
Each rescued person received a bag of rice, a bag of maize grits, a mattress, a wrapper, and a shadda, while children received two pairs of clothing.

In addition, 208 heads of households received N50,000 each, fulfilling Governor Zulum’s earlier pledge of financial assistance.
Speaking during the distribution, the SEMA Director General said the intervention was part of the government’s immediate response to ease the hardship faced by the rescued victims.

“I am here at the instance of His Excellency, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, who was here some few days ago, and to deliver the items he directed that it should be given to you as emergency relief,” Ali stated.
The rescued individuals are currently receiving medical care and psychosocial support at a government facility. Upon completion of the rehabilitation process, they will be reintegrated into their respective communities.
The exercise was carried out alongside the Chairman of Gwoza local government, representatives of the Ngoshe community, and other officials.
Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram
News
Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs
Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, marked Democracy Day with the handover of two Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and critical logistics to the Nigerian Army, after joining internally displaced persons (IDPs) for a symbolic celebration and distribution of food items to 2,500 beneficiaries.
The armoured MRAPs delivered to the Theatre Command of Operation Hadin Kai on Friday are intended to enhance troop protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and ambushes which remain a persistent threat in the fight against insurgents. Additional logistics include operational Hilux vehicles and motorcycles for frontline soldiers in difficult terrains.
Zulum also marked Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Madinatu camp where he distributed food supplies, non-food items, and cash gifts to thousands of beneficiaries.
The distribution, held at the Madinatu IDP camp, served to consolidate Zulum’s resettlement gains. Over the past seven years, Borno State Government has successfully resettled more than 2 million IDPs in their ancestral communities in a dignified and voluntary manner.
“It gladdens my heart today, the 12th of June, 2026, to celebrate June 12th, Democracy Day, here in Madinatu Camp, the only formal camp that is standing inside Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, today, to the glory of God and the benefit of mankind, for the distribution of food and non-food items. Inshallah, this camp will be closed this year. This will be our last distribution exercise in this camp, or the second to the last,” Zulum said.
However, Governor Zulum used the occasion to announce a timeline for the camp’s closure. The governor ordered that Madinatu camp be shut down within one month, vowing to similarly close most IDP camps across various Local Government Areas in the coming phase of his administration’s resettlement strategy.
“Democracy must translate into restoring the dignity of our people,” Zulum told the IDPs. “Living in camps is not a permanent solution. Our goal remains to return every displaced person to their ancestral homes with security and means of livelihood.”
In addition to the food items, Zulum approved N50,000 each for the 2,500 beneficiaries present at the event.
“Each of the 500 beneficiaries mentioned will receive a 25kg bag of rice and a 25kg bag of sorghum. Women will receive wrappers. I also promise to provide 50,000 naira to each beneficiary. This amount can be credited into their own individual accounts, inshallah,” Zulum said.
The exercise was attended by the APC’s State Deputy Chairman, Garba Mulima, APC State Vice Chairman (Central) Abdur Rahman Abdulkarim, Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mallumbe, Member representing Jere at the State Assembly, Abba Kyari Kolo, commissioners and commissioner designates and several other senior government officials.
Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs
News
Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano
Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano
By: Michael Mike
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for the arrest of a suspected gun courier intercepted while allegedly transporting weapons believed to be destined for criminal elements in Katsina State.
The commendation was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Thursday, June 12, 2026.

Governor Yusuf described the operation as a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against banditry, terrorism and other violent crimes threatening communities across Northern Nigeria.
According to information provided by the DSS, the suspect, identified as Muhammad Abubakar, 30, was apprehended in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State while allegedly transporting four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes, three AK-47 rifles and two empty magazines to Funtua in Katsina State.
Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the suspect collected the weapons from an individual identified as Bello in the Maigatari border area of Jigawa State and was expected to receive N450,000 upon successful delivery of the arms.
Governor Yusuf praised the professionalism, vigilance and intelligence-driven approach of DSS operatives, noting that the timely interception prevented the weapons from falling into the hands of bandits and other criminal groups.
He said the operation underscored the critical role of intelligence gathering and effective collaboration among security agencies in tackling emerging security threats across the country.
The governor reaffirmed the commitment of the Kano State Government to supporting security agencies through sustained cooperation, logistics assistance and policies aimed at strengthening public safety throughout the state.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies to aid efforts to combat crime and maintain peace.
Governor Yusuf expressed confidence that ongoing investigations would lead to the arrest and prosecution of all individuals connected to the alleged arms trafficking network.
The statement was signed by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano.
Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years agoTHE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News1 year agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Politics1 year ago2027: Why Hon. Midala Balami Must Go, as Youths in Hawul and Asikira/Uba Federal Constituency Reject ₦500,000 as Sallah Gift
