Zamfara Creates Victims Support Fund for Peace

After years of conflict, a Nigerian state is making sure victims aren't forgotten in the push for peace.

Zamfara State announced plans to create a comprehensive Victims Support Fund as part of its new peace and security framework. The announcement came during the inauguration of the state's Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Committee, which will oversee efforts to help former combatants return to civilian life.

Secretary to the State Government Abubakar Mohammed Nakwada emphasized that true peace requires supporting both sides. "DDR cannot be complete if we focus only on those laying down arms without addressing those who have borne the consequences," he explained during his acceptance speech as committee chairman.

The fund will provide rehabilitation services, mental health support, livelihood restoration, and educational assistance to families affected by violence. It aims to rebuild communities torn apart by conflict while restoring public confidence in the peace process.

Zamfara has already committed significant resources to regional stability, donating a multi-billion-naira facility to serve as the Northwest DDR Camp for Operation Safe Corridor. The camp will house programs designed to reintegrate individuals who previously participated in armed groups.

The state is receiving international support from experts who successfully navigated similar challenges. Former Colombian National Security Advisor Sergio Jaramillo joined the delegation, drawing parallels between Colombia's decades-long conflict resolution and Zamfara's current situation.

"The problem you are facing today is exactly the same problem we faced in Colombia," Jaramillo said. "The problem of crime can never disappear, but we can reduce it."

The delegation also included retired generals from Colombia and the United Kingdom, along with security experts from across West Africa. Together, they inspected the DDR camp facility in Tsafe and discussed strategies for sustainable peace.

The Ripple Effect

This balanced approach to peacebuilding could transform how conflict-affected regions address reconciliation. By centering victims in the recovery process, Zamfara is creating a model that acknowledges the full cost of violence while building pathways to genuine healing.

The framework recognizes that lasting peace requires more than simply ending hostilities. Communities need restored trust, recovered livelihoods, and visible justice before they can truly move forward.

Governor Dauda Lawal's administration has made clear that reconciliation must happen "from a position of strength, within the rule of law, and without compromising justice, accountability or the security of our communities." This stance ensures that peace efforts don't inadvertently reward violence while ignoring suffering.

When victims see themselves at the center of peace efforts, entire communities can begin to heal.

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