The Coalition of Nigerian Youths for Peace and National Unity has called for urgent national dialogue, justice reform, and proactive security measures to address the deepening ethno-religious tensions threatening the unity of the country.
The group made this call during a press conference held on Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Abuja, where it examined the persistent challenges of identity-based violence and historical grievances between Northern and Southern Nigeria.
Citing two recent incidents that reflect the gravity of the crisis—the extrajudicial killing of 16 northern youths in Uromi, Edo State, falsely accused of kidnapping and burned by a mob, and the lynching of Deborah Samuel, a Christian student in Sokoto State, over alleged blasphemy—the Coalition described these acts as symptoms of longstanding divisions that must be addressed urgently.
The group traced the root causes of these tensions to indigene-settler conflicts, especially in flashpoint areas like Jos and Kaduna, where disputes over land rights and political access often erupt into violence.
The introduction of Sharia law in some states and the manipulation of religious and ethnic sentiments by political elites have also deepened mistrust across communities. These identity-based conflicts, the group said, are further fueled by systemic inequalities and a legacy of colonial-era policies that disregarded Nigeria’s ethnic and religious complexities.
The Coalition warned that unless these historical grievances and structural injustices are resolved, Nigeria would continue to suffer devastating consequences.
According to the group, thousands have lost their lives in sectarian clashes, with many more displaced. Polarized elections are undermining democratic processes, while the persistent instability deters investment and contributes to economic stagnation.
To stem the tide of violence, the Coalition recommended constitutional reforms that address systemic issues such as indigene-settler disputes and unequal access to resources.
They called for strengthened interfaith dialogue, urging religious leaders to preach peace and reject extremism. Community-based mediation, modeled after the Kaduna Peace Commission, was also proposed as a way to rebuild trust and resolve conflicts at the grassroots.
In addition, the Coalition advocated for economic development programs targeting marginalized regions, emphasizing education, infrastructure, and job creation as tools to combat poverty and reduce the appeal of violence.
The group issued a strong call to action to all segments of society.
Political leaders were urged to stop exploiting religious and ethnic differences for personal gain and instead pursue inclusive governance. Religious institutions were reminded of their responsibility to preach tolerance, drawing from both Islamic and Christian teachings that promote peace and coexistence. Citizens were encouraged to look beyond tribal and religious identities and embrace their shared humanity.
Addressing the role of security agencies, the Coalition emphasized the need for intelligence-driven strategies and early-warning systems that can detect and prevent conflict before it escalates.
They warned against the excessive use of force, urging training in conflict-sensitive policing to build public trust. The importance of community policing was highlighted, with a call for the formation of local task forces that include respected community members.
The Coalition also recommended closer collaboration between security agencies, state governments, and civil society organizations to address structural drivers of conflict.
These include the fair distribution of resources, transparent investigation of killings such as those in Uromi and Sokoto, and the protection of vulnerable regions like Southern Kaduna, Niger, and Benue through both patrol and dialogue initiatives.
Furthermore, the group urged the Nigerian government to publicly condemn hate speech and profiling based on religion or ethnicity.
They called for increased resource allocation to poverty-stricken areas and the deployment of security personnel to rural regions and highways prone to banditry, kidnappings, and communal clashes. Engagement with local vigilante groups and leaders was also recommended.
