Experts Demand Bold Action To End North Central Violence

*CORNWEST Africa wants community vigilant groups regulated

By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan

Experts in Conflict and Peace building have advocated the need for bold actions to end the violence in the northcentral Nigeria

The experts made the call at a webinar hosted by Conflict Research Network West Africa (CORN West Africa) at the weekend

According to the experts, to achieve this, it is time for the Federal Government to regulate community based vigilant groups and integrate them into formal structures to ensure accountability and coherence.

They pointed out at the webinar, themed “Violence in North Central Nigeria: Pathways to Peace and Human Security,” that there is the need for a shift from militarized interventions to deploying community-based approaches that build trust and prioritize prevention to solve the violence in north central Nigeria.

The panellists included (Ms. Ier Jonathan-Ichaver, a social entrepreneur and justice advocate and founder of Sesor Empowerment Foundation; Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, the Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution; Prof. Suchi Musa Plangshak, a criminologist and security studies scholar at the University of Jos; and Prof. Albert Chukwuma Okoli, an expert in security governance and strategic studies) examined the structural, political, and social drivers of the conflict in the region.

Speaking at the webinar, Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution; Prof. Suchi Musa Plangshak disclosed that the violence in North Central Nigeria is not merely a product of armed conflict but a reflection of systemic dysfunction rooted in marginalization, exclusion, and the erosion of justice.

In her contribution, a Social Entrepreneur and Justice advocate and founder of Sesor Empowerment Foundation, Ms. Ier Jonathan-Ichaver while
highlighting the inadequacy of state response, said security agencies often fail to act on early warnings and lack investigative capacity.

In his contribution, Professor Chukwuma Okoli recognized the rise of community-based security groups and warned of the dangers of unregulated vigilantism, saying,
“when the state abdicates its role, non-state actors step in. But without oversight, they can become part of the problem,”

Dr. Joseph Ochogwu in his contribution, said much progress has been made in containing the violence in North Central Nigeria, and there is the need for a more humane approach to reconciliation and peacebuilding in the region.

He stressed, “we must rehabilitate victims, not just count them.Local governments need resources and autonomy to lead reconciliation efforts. Peace can not be outsourced, it must be locally owned”.

Executive Director of CORNWEST Africa, Dr Timipere Allison who noted that CORN West Africa reaffirmed its commitment to collaborative research, policy innovation, and amplifying community voices urges “government actors, civil society, academia, and international partners to act decisively, as the time for piecemeal interventions is over. What is needed now is a unified, strategic response that restores dignity, justice, and peace to the people of North Central Nigeria.”

The panelists suggested other roadmap to peace in the northcentral to include “Inclusive peacebuilding requires the active engagement of women, youth, and traditional leaders in dialogue and decision-making. Grassroots initiatives that promote trust, reconciliation, and social cohesion should be supported and scaled.

“Governance must be restructured to decentralize power and strengthen local governments, enabling them to respond more effectively to community needs. Constitutional reforms should reflect Nigeria’s diversity, fostering a more inclusive and responsive political framework. Justice and accountability are essential. Strengthening investigative capacity and prosecuting perpetrators will help end impunity, while psychosocial support and resettlement programs are vital for restoring dignity and healing among victims.”