By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Faith and community leaders from Nigeria have called for immediate and coordinated action to tackle escalating violence and insecurity across the country. The call was made during a forum hosted by the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) at Pepperdine University, Washington, D.C., in February.
The event brought together senior Christian, Muslim, and traditional leaders to discuss strategies for addressing armed group attacks, kidnappings, and displacement affecting millions of Nigerians. Rev. Fr. Canice Chinyeaka Enyiaka, GPF’s Director of African Peace Initiative and Engagement, emphasized the role of faith leaders in promoting peace, stating that religious communities possess both moral authority and local trust to drive reconciliation.
Cardinal John Onaiyekan warned that many security challenges are compounded by weak governance and a lack of moral leadership, urging officials to uphold both ethical and practical responsibilities.
Speakers highlighted interfaith collaboration as a key tool for peace. Rev. Yunusa Nmadu Jnr stressed joint services and shared community initiatives, while Sheikh Muhammad Abubakar Sadeeq emphasized empowering youth and women to reduce recruitment by extremist groups.
The forum also noted the near collapse of state authority in some rural areas, where armed groups extort villagers, seize resources, and impose pseudo-governance. Participants called for sustained advocacy, public education, and community-based solutions.Dr. Paul Murray, GPF’s International VP for Religious Freedom Initiatives, stressed connecting local faith insights with global policymakers for effective security interventions.
Former U.S. Ambassador Sam Brownback warned that Nigeria risks further instability without urgent action.The Washington forum follows a December 2025 meeting in Abuja, where faith and traditional leaders urged the creation of a Joint Interfaith Advocacy Committee to monitor violence and promote peaceful coexistence.
