Uba Sani asks states to adopt dialogue in tackling insecurity

Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, has urged states facing security challenges to emulate the state’s non-kinetic approach.

The governor spoke on Monday at an event organised by the Association of Zamfara Indigenes Resident in Kaduna.

Represented by Mohammed Jalal, his special adviser on community engagement, Sani said peace has returned to Birnin Gwari, an area troubled by insecurity for years, adding that economic activities are gradually being restored.

He noted that the Birnin Gwari market, closed for nearly a decade, was reopened on November 29, 2024, while the Kidandan market in Giwa LGA, previously affected by insecurity, has also been reopened.

“Through the efforts of the Peace Dialogue Group, established by the Kaduna State Government in collaboration with federal agencies and security services, we have achieved remarkable progress,” he said.

“The Kaduna Model is freely available for any state that wants to adopt it.”

Meanwhile, the association said it empowered 280 indigent members with grants totalling N14 million at its congress and annual general meeting, with each beneficiary receiving ₦50,000 to start small-scale businesses.

Abubakar Liman-Shinkafi, chairman of the association, said the initiative aimed to alleviate poverty among its members.

He added that the beneficiaries, including youths, women, and the elderly, were drawn from the 14 LGAs of Zamfara state.

Rabi Salisu, commissioner for humanitarian affairs, encouraged beneficiaries to use the grants wisely.