By Obi Jane, World BEYOND War Nigeria Chapter Coordinator, July 27, 2026

Nigeria continues to face a severe armed violence crisis driven by insurgency, organized crime, communal conflict, and the widespread proliferation of small arms and light weapons. Kaduna State, one of the country’s most populous states with nearly 12 million inhabitants, has emerged as one of the regions most affected by this insecurity. In 2020 when the state recorded the highest number of political violence incidents and conflict-related fatalities in northern Nigeria, according to the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, 220 violent incidents involving armed groups were recorded, resulting in nearly 1,000 deaths, around 400 kidnappings for ransom, the destruction of hundreds of communities, and the displacement of more than 50,000 people.

Still today, the crisis extends far beyond isolated acts of violence. Kaduna’s insecurity is fueled by three interconnected dynamics: farmer-herder conflicts intensified by competition over land and the proliferation of illicit weapons; criminal gangs involved in kidnapping, arms trafficking, cattle rustling, and highway robbery; and the resurgence of violent extremist groups such as Ansaru. While military operations have disrupted some armed groups, the use of force as response has not restored peace. Dialogue, community engagement, job creation, and locally led peacebuilding initiatives are missing in order to strengthen trust between communities and public institutions. Against this backdrop, Nigeria for a World BEYOND War organized a Youth Dialogue on Armed Violence, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation on 22 July 2026 at TECHVILLE Hub in Kaduna.

The one-day dialogue sought to raise awareness about the consequences of armed violence and the proliferation of small arms while encouraging young people to become active contributors to violence prevention, disarmament, and community peacebuilding. The dialogue brought together 30 participants representing a wide range of institutions and community actors. Participants included representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), the Kaduna State Vigilante Service (KADVS), the Kaduna State Law Enforcement Authority (KASTLEA), the National Human Rights Commission, the Ministry of Youth Development, political parties, traditional leaders, civil society organizations, media professionals, youth leaders, and representatives of persons with disabilities. This diversity created a platform for dialogue between public institutions and the communities directly affected by armed violence.

The dialogue session combined several participatory approaches, including an introduction to the work of World BEYOND War and its Nigeria chapter, team-building role plays, a panel discussion, group exercises, and an evaluation session. These interactive methods encouraged participants to reflect on the root causes of armed violence, discuss the impact of illicit weapons on their communities, and explore practical strategies to reduce violence through prevention, dialogue, and community engagement. “Young people are not only affected by armed violence, they are also part of the solution. By equipping them with knowledge and creating opportunities for dialogue, we are investing in safer communities and a more peaceful Nigeria,” said the Coordinator of World BEYOND War Nigeria.

One of the session’s outcomes was the strengthening of collaboration among institutions working on security, human rights, youth engagement, and community development. Participants expressed their commitment to increasing youth participation in initiatives aimed at preventing armed violence and reducing the proliferation of small arms. Discussions also highlighted growing support for community-based approaches such as neighborhood watch initiatives and community policing as complementary tools for improving public safety. If we create more spaces for constructive dialogue between young people, government institutions, and civil society, we will ensure that security does not only depend on law enforcement but also on education, cooperation, and public participation.

With the support of World BEYOND War African Chapters Support Program, this initiative contributes to World BEYOND War’s mission to end all war by promoting peace education, advancing disarmament, discouraging the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, and empowering communities to build lasting peace through nonviolent action.

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