At a national security dialogue in Abuja, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev Matthew Hassan Kukah, warned that arming communities to combat insecurity could backfire, creating new dangers instead of solutions.
“Arms will not solve our problems. They offer a false sense of security. And when peace returns, where will those weapons go?” he said, emphasizing the need to address underlying social and moral decay.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu affirmed the government’s commitment to defeating terrorism and restoring order, saying, “We will defeat terror. We will restore order. We will not give up, and we will not surrender.”
He highlighted the Tinubu administration’s progress, including 775 terrorism-related convictions, intelligence-driven operations, and community-based early-warning systems.
The event, themed “A whole-of-society approach to prevention of violence and conflict in Northern Nigeria,” gathered religious leaders, traditional rulers, and experts.
Ribadu urged practical steps beyond speeches, emphasizing joint efforts for stability, and warned against destabilizing actions.
Kukah described Nigeria’s situation as hitting “rock bottom,” but saw an opportunity for renewal. He advocated embracing diversity, involving women in peace processes, and collective responsibility for peacebuilding.
“Peace begins with individuals, families, communities,” he said, calling for humility, justice, and confronting extremism within communities.
