The Indian High Commissioner, Abhay Thakur, says Nigeria can tackle terrorism, banditry and other insecurity challenges using non-violence means.

“Non-violence actually ensures that terrorism, insecurity, instability and poverty are tackled in the spirit of mutual accommodation and tolerance,” Mr Thakur said.

He was speaking at an event organised by the Indian High Commission in Nigeria to mark the 152nd posthumous birthday of Mahatma Gandhi on Saturday in Abuja.

One of India’s founding fathers, Gandhi’s birthday coincides with the United Nations October 2 declaration as the International Day of Non-violence, adopted in 2007.

Mr Thakur said Gandhi’s message of peace and non-violence had become more apt today as the world sought an end to all conflicts, wars, terrorism, and poverty, adding, “Violence is the weapon of the weak; non-violence is the weapon of the strong.”

The ambassador said, “the world needs to adopt non-violent means of conflict resolution, of dispute settlement and of reconciling differences.”

(NAN)