Integrated Security Approach Proposed at Kaduna Summit
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has outlined a comprehensive strategy to address the persistent security challenges plaguing Nigeria's Northwest region. During the Public Hearing of the North West Zonal Security Summit organized by the Senate Adhoc Committee on National Security Summit on Saturday, Governor Sani emphasized the need for a balanced approach combining military strength with community engagement and long-term development initiatives.
Military Restructuring and Border Security
Governor Sani called for the establishment of a North-West Theatre Command that would unify the Nigerian Army's 1st and 8th Divisions under a single command structure. According to the governor, this strategic move would significantly improve intelligence sharing and enable more coordinated operations against cross-state criminal networks operating throughout the region.
The governor also proposed expanding international security cooperation, specifically recommending the extension of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to cover Nigeria's borders with Niger Republic. This expansion, he argued, would effectively disrupt arms trafficking routes and eliminate cross-border sanctuaries that criminal elements currently exploit.
Community Engagement and Policing Reforms
Governor Sani stressed that military solutions alone cannot resolve the security crisis. He emphasized that community trust and participation remain indispensable elements in any effective security strategy. To institutionalize community involvement, he proposed creating permanent Security Committees at both state and local government levels.
These committees would include traditional rulers, religious leaders, women's organizations, youth groups, civil society representatives, and security agencies. They would function as early-warning systems, conflict-resolution platforms, and bridges of trust between citizens and the state.
The governor made a strong case for the establishment of state police, arguing that Nigeria's centralized policing model has become inadequate for a nation of over 230 million people. He highlighted the critical shortage of police personnel, noting that fewer than 400,000 police officers nationwide leaves many rural communities without meaningful protection.
Federal Perspective and Regional Progress
Defence Minister Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, speaking on the theme "Public Hearing, Building Robust Regional Collaborations To Tackle Insecurity: Pathway For Securing The Future," reiterated President Bola Tinubu's commitment to ending insecurity nationwide. The minister acknowledged that despite ongoing challenges, the current administration has made measurable progress in improving security conditions.
Joint military operations across Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto and Kebbi states have successfully reopened key transportation routes that were previously unsafe for travel. The minister specifically mentioned improvements along Kaduna-Kachia, Kaduna-Birnin Gwari, Jibia-Gurbin Baure and sections of the Sokoto-Illela corridor.
Economic activity has also shown signs of recovery, with markets in Kaura Namoda, Shinkafi, Batsari, Giwa and Kajuru experiencing increased commercial activity. Many previously displaced villages have begun returning to their homes, and schools that closed due to security concerns have resumed operations with enhanced protection measures.
Academic Analysis and Strategic Recommendations
Professor Muhammad Kabir Isa of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria provided critical analysis during his keynote presentation, identifying fundamental limitations in current security approaches. The Public Administration expert noted that existing strategies continue to fail due to fragmentation, inadequate coordination, overstretched security institutions, and inconsistent policies.
Professor Isa emphasized that tactical military gains often fail to translate into sustainable peace because the structural drivers of insecurity remain unaddressed. He called for robust regional collaboration to tackle the mobility of armed groups, the dispersion of bandit enclaves across forest areas, and the complex humanitarian and developmental spillovers from the conflict.
Senator Babangida Hussaini, Chairman of the summit's Organizing Committee, explained that the gathering aimed to provide frank discussions about the alarming rates of insecurity in the Northwest zone. The insights gathered from this regional summit will contribute to a National Security Summit scheduled for Abuja on December 1st, demonstrating the federal government's comprehensive approach to addressing the security emergency.
