BY HADIZA IBRAHIM NGULDE, JUNE 17, 2025 | 04:16 PM
Since 2009, Maiduguri has been at the heart of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria. For nearly a decade, children grew up in constant fear of the sounds of gunfire and bomb blasts.
By 2018, the children growing up in this environment, particularly in lower-income communities like Ngomari, Bulunkutu, Old Airport, and others had become accustomed to violence.
Widespread insecurity and the presence of armed groups led to a surge in illegal weapons. With limited education and few opportunities, many young people turned to drugs, theft, and violent gang activity as a means of survival.
A Mother Becomes a Mediator in a Battle for Peace
Fatima Tahir never imagined she would find herself negotiating with violent youth gangs in her community. But in Ngomari C, Maiduguri, her standing as a respected community elder placed her in an unexpected role: that of a peace negotiator.
It began with the local peace interventions by the Community Peace and Safety Partnerships (CPSP) of Jere Local Government Area, in collaboration with Herwa Community Development Initiative (CDI) and supported by the British Council. The goal was to address rising youth violence by facilitating dialogue between gang members, community leaders, and stakeholders.
Fatima, known for her fairness and familiarity within the area, became an essential voice in the meetings. She was present when the peace pact was first proposed. “They needed someone the youths would listen to,” she said. “And someone who also understood what the community needed. I became that bridge.”
Turning Away from Violence By the Numbers and Narratives
The CPSP peace dialogue, facilitated by Herwa CDI, led to a remarkable outcome. In May 2020, 200 gang groups, each with about 20 members, voluntarily disarmed. These groups operated across Ngomari, Bulunkutu, Old Airport, and other neighborhoods in the Maiduguri metropolis.
Muhammadu Sani, once a notorious gang leader and now the chairman of an ex-gang coalition, attributed the success to consistent engagement by the CPSP and Herwa CDI. “They didn’t just tell us to drop arms. They brought us together, talked with us, understood our needs,” he said. “Especially our community leader, Zanna Lawan Ajimi. He is like a father figure.”
Sticks and matchetes recovered from the violent gang during the disamarment program.
PC:Herwa CDI
Visible changes followed after the program. Violent clashes drastically reduced, drug abuse among youths fell significantly, Police patrols lessened due to improved security. And youths began reporting external threats to authorities.
Hassan Isa, a shop owner in Ngomari, confirmed the transformation: “My shop was once attacked as part of gang reprisals. Since the peace pact, we’ve not seen such violence again.”
Why the Response Worked and Where It Faltered
The success of CPSP can be traced to its community-centered approach. Instead of using force, the initiative prioritized dialogue, inclusion, and trust-building. Stakeholders, including traditional leaders referred to as Lawan and Bulama, elders like Fatima, and even former gang leaders, were involved in planning and implementation of the initiative.
The testimonies of former gang members reveal a core need and their plight: they want to be heard and helped, not punished.
Mohammed Ali Mustapha, also known as Abbarious, was once feared in Bulunkutu Garin Tsakiya. After disarmament, he pursued a diploma in Business Administration at the Agency for Mass Literacy. “I realized education is my way out,” he said. “We also want to become governors or presidents one day.”
However, this also reveals a painful truth, hope alone isn’t enough. While some were absorbed into the civilian joint task force, military, and NGOs, many others were left behind.
Without Sustained Support, Peace Is Fragile
Despite the progress, there are cracks in the peace. Several ex-gang members have expressed frustration. Promises of jobs, capital, and support were not fulfilled, leading to renewed restlessness.
Baba Kumurci, a former gang member, lamented: “We changed, but nothing really changed for us. The government doesn’t trust us, and the people still fear us.”
The threat of recidivism looms large. “If not for our community leaders and Herwa CDI still checking on us, I would have gone back [to violence],” said Abbarious.
Even Herwa CDI’s staff face threats in the field. Ngubdo Hassan, the NGO’s Director, noted, “Sometimes we are chased away or attacked. This work is risky, and without proper funding and protection, we cannot sustain it.”
A Challenge for Sustainability without Government and Donor Support
The experience in Ngomari and other parts of Maiduguri shows that youth gang violence is not irreversible. With dialogue, community ownership, and proper facilitation, peace can be restored.
But the sustainability of peace hinges on economic inclusion, education, and trust areas that require greater government intervention and long-term investment.
As Fatima Tahir said, “We’ve seen what they can become when they drop their arms. But we can’t do it all. We need help to keep them on the right path.”
Similar interventions like those by CPSP could be expanded to other areas facing youth violence, such as Dala Karshen Kwalta, Layin Hadiza, and Gwange.