At a national security dialogue in Abuja on Thursday, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev Matthew Hassan Kukah, raised concerns over the growing calls to arm communities in response to widespread insecurity, warning that such an approach could create new dangers rather than solutions.
“There is a growing belief that communities can defend themselves by arming up. But arms will not solve our problems. They offer a false sense of security. And when peace returns, where will those weapons go?” Kukah said at the event.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, who also addressed participants, reaffirmed the government’s determination to dismantle terrorist networks and stabilise the country.
“We will defeat terror. We will restore order. We will not give up, and we will not surrender,” he said.
The session, themed “A whole-of-society approach to the prevention of violence and conflict in Northern Nigeria,” was convened by the National Peace Committee (NPC), The Kukah Centre and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). It brought together religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society actors, security professionals and policy experts seeking new strategies to strengthen peacebuilding efforts in the North.
Ribadu noted that the Tinubu administration had deepened intelligence-driven operations, advanced security reforms and expanded community-based early-warning systems, leading to thousands of insurgents surrendering and significant progress in terrorism-related prosecutions.
He said Nigeria had no intention of yielding ground to violent groups, adding that national stability requires joint efforts from citizens and institutions.
“We have recorded 775 convictions in terrorism-related prosecutions. Each one represents not just a statistic, but a life restored and a community stabilised,” he said.
Ribadu also warned that individuals or groups working to destabilise the country would face repercussions.
“Let me be clear. Any individual or group who exploits communities, spreads terror or attempts to undermine national unity will face decisive action. Nigeria remains fully committed to law, order and the protection of citizens,” he added.
Despite the ongoing challenges, the NSA expressed confidence in Nigeria’s resilience.
“Our country has gone through difficult periods, perhaps more than many nations, but we are still standing. We are the only functioning democracy in the Sahel region, and we must protect that achievement,” he said.
However, he emphasised that the dialogue must lead to practical steps.
“Sustainable peace requires that discussions like this should not end with speeches. We must translate them into concrete, measurable actions that strengthen resilience, rebuild trust and improve security across Northern Nigeria and beyond,” he said.
Ribadu urged traditional and religious leaders to continue supporting government efforts, saying: “We are going through painful times, but this phase will pass. I ask for continued prayers, understanding and moral leadership. We will defeat terror. We will restore order. We will not give up, and we will not surrender.”
In a related discussion, Rev Kukah rejected the idea that arming communities is an effective response to banditry or terrorism, describing the country’s security crisis as a symptom of profound social and moral decay.
“Nigeria has too many underlying ailments – unstable homes, fragmented communities, weakened moral foundations. These vulnerabilities are the fertile soil in which bandits and criminals thrive,” he said.
The bishop said Nigeria has “hit rock bottom,” but added that this moment could also be an opportunity for renewal.
“The scale and depth of our insecurity show that we have reached the lowest point. The good news is that the only direction left is upward,” he said.
Kukah also urged the country to embrace its diversity.
“If diversity were a liability, America would not be what it is today. Nigeria is blessed with extraordinary diversity. Our challenge is to harmonise it, not weaponise it,” he said.
He stressed that peacebuilding is a collective responsibility.
“Peace is the collective work of all of us. It begins with individuals, families, communities and societies. If each of us seeks peace where we are, the nation will benefit,” he said.
Kukah called for humility and justice from the government and asked religious and traditional authorities to confront extremism within their own communities. He also drew attention to the central role of women in peace processes.
“Women make up the majority of our population, yet many lack a voice, not because of numbers, but because voice means participation and representation. We cannot build peace while excluding half of our population,” he said.
