The Kaduna State government has announced the release of more than 500 individuals kidnapped in the region, claiming the feat was achieved through dialogue and community engagement rather than bounty-linked ransom payments.
At a workshop on peace journalism held in Kaduna, the State’s Information Commissioner, Ahmed Maiyaki, said the initiative — dubbed the Kaduna Peace Model — represents a deliberate shift “from confrontation to conversation”.
“You cannot bomb peace into existence; you must build it with trust,” Maiyaki said, emphasising a move away from militarised responses.
Rather than paying kidnappers, the model directed efforts into restoring vital services and infrastructure. Maiyaki explained: “We agreed because these are basic human needs, not ransom payments. We didn’t give them a dime — what we restored was life and dignity to communities long abandoned.”
He also acknowledged the toll of the crisis, citing that between 2015 and 2023, Kaduna recorded 1,160 major security incidents, 4,876 lives lost and thousands abducted.
