Rising Insecurity Threatens National Peace, Experts Warn

The Director of the Abdulsalami Abubakar Institute for Peace and Sustainable Development Studies (AAIPSDS), Dr. Diamond Preye Nebechukwu, has raised the alarm over the growing threat of insurgency, banditry, and communal violence to national peace and development, urging urgent action from relevant stakeholders.

Dr. Nebechukwu made the remarks during the International Day of Peace commemoration organised by the Institute in Minna under the theme, “Voices of Peace: Pathways to a Peaceful Future.”

She noted that persistent insecurity, coupled with poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion, continues to fuel conflicts across the country, stressing the need for collective effort to build a stable and peaceful society.

“The aftermath of insurgency in the North East, farmer-herder clashes in the North Central, and banditry in the North West, including mass abductions, are testing our collective resilience. In both urban and rural communities, poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion have created cycles of violence that undermine public trust in governance and deepen human suffering,” Dr. Nebechukwu said.

According to her, AAIPSDS organised the event to bring together students, teachers, government officials, and civil society organisations to foster dialogue and promote the values of peace and empathy among young people.

“A major concern is the rising trend of youth restiveness and student violence. The leaders of tomorrow are increasingly drawn into behaviours that threaten education, safety, and community harmony. This is not merely a school issue; it is a national challenge that strikes at the foundation of our society,” she added.

Also speaking, Mr. Daniel Yisa, Director at the Niger State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, highlighted that peace is the backbone of educational growth, without which schools cannot thrive. He commended AAIPSDS for initiating peace clubs in schools across Minna and pledged to extend the programme to all 25 local government areas in the state.

Some students who attended the event expressed their determination to serve as ambassadors of peace in their schools and communities, promoting empathy, non-violent conflict resolution, and peaceful coexistence.

The event underscored the importance of equipping the youth with the skills and values needed to prevent violence and foster national cohesion.