• Lakurawa fighters kill two, lead prayers in Sokoto mosque
• Atiku tells FG to move from condolences to protection of lives

The Federal Government has intensified efforts to develop a comprehensive National Peace Framework aimed at strengthening security, promoting social cohesion and building resilient communities across Nigeria.

The initiative comes as Lakurawa fighters reportedly killed two people and led Friday prayers at the Izalah Central Mosque at Kaya Village in Tambuwal Local Council Area of Sokoto State.

In the meantime, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged the federal government to “move from condolences to action” following the killing of 32 people in Ungushi community in Kebbe Local Council Area of Sokoto State last Friday. Residents reportedly killed 13 of the assailants.

The National Peace Framework, being spearheaded by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), seeks to establish a coordinated and sustainable approach to addressing the country’s evolving security and peacebuilding challenges.

Speaking at the launch of the National Peace Framework Development initiative, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North-Central), Dr Abiodun Essiet, described the process as timely and critical to Nigeria’s quest for lasting peace and stability.

Essiet said sustainable peace could not be achieved through security interventions alone, stressing the need to address the underlying social and governance factors that often fuel conflict and insecurity.

She identified community engagement, inclusive governance, effective early warning and response mechanisms, and stronger collaboration among government institutions as essential components of a durable peace architecture.

According to Essiet, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, women, youths and the private sector must also be actively involved in the peacebuilding process.

She expressed confidence that it would produce a practical and inclusive blueprint reflective of the aspirations of Nigerians, stating that the framework, when completed and effectively implemented, would strengthen community resilience, deepen social cohesion and contribute to building a more peaceful, secure and united Nigeria.

Disclosing the Lakurawa killings in a post on X yesterday, a journalist covering conflicts in North-West Nigeria, Bakatsine, said the fighters arrived in the community around 11 am and remained there for nearly seven hours, forcing residents to stay indoors while they moved from house to house and stole cattle.

Citing an anonymous resident, Bakatsine said the fighters later went to the mosque, made the call to prayer and led the Jumu’ah prayers, while most residents remained indoors out of fear.

He added that the fighters subsequently looted shops and Point-of-Sale outlets, carting away goods and large sums of money on leaving the community around 5 pm.

Questioning how armed fighters could occupy a community for hours, restrict residents’ movement, take over a mosque and loot businesses without intervention, Bakatsine described the incident as disturbing.

MEANWHILE, the Nigerian Army has reportedly drawn a fresh battle line against the Lakurawa terrorist group in Kebbe Local Council Area of Sokoto State, deploying strengthened security measures to prevent further attacks and halt terrorist infiltration of vulnerable border communities.

This followed heightened security concerns in the area, particularly the reported attack on Ungushi community, which has triggered fears among residents.

Conducting an operational assessment visit to the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Kebbe and other affected communities on Sunday, alongside the operational readiness of troops, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. BemghaKoughna, also engaged community leaders and residents.

Koughna assured that the troops would not allow terrorist elements to establish a foothold in the area or threaten the lives, property and livelihoods of innocent citizens.

HOWEVER, in a statement yesterday, Atiku said he was devastated by the killing of 32 innocent Nigerians. He extended condolences to the bereaved families and the people of Sokoto State.

However, Atiku stated that condolences are no longer enough, wondering how many more Nigerians must be slaughtered before the federal government treats the protection of human life as an emergency.

According to him, “these killings have become frighteningly recurrent, and a government that cannot protect its citizens must not become comfortable issuing statements after every massacre.”

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) demanded immediate steps to curb the violence, stating that “the federal government must move from condolences to action: strengthen intelligence, secure vulnerable communities and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“The first duty of government is to protect life. Nigerians cannot continue to bury their loved ones while those entrusted with their security offer excuses.”