Sustained collaboration panacea to insecurity in North- Sani
By Hussaina Yakubu
Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State says recent improvements in security across Northern Nigeria are the result of sustained collaboration between federal authorities and local stakeholders.
He, however, warned that progress would remain fragile without the full engagement of the region’s elites.
The governor was speaking at the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation’s two-day interactive programme in Kaduna.
Sani recalled the dire security situation he inherited in May 2023, describing Kaduna as a state “under siege at the time.
“From the Kaduna Abuja expressway to Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Igabi, and the southern parts of our state, fear had overtaken our communities.
“Markets were shuttered, villages deserted, and the spirit of Kaduna was being eroded by violence.”
The governor said that military force alone could not resolve the crisis, leading his administration to adopt what he described as the Kaduna Peace Model.
He explained that this was a blend of proactive security measures, community engagement, and institutional collaboration.
“Our strategy combined support for security agencies with dialogue, local vigilance, and social investment and with the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we have seen significant improvement,” he said.
Sani said that these efforts led to the dismantling of criminal enclaves along the Kaduna to Abuja highway, the reopening of Birnin Gwari markets after over a decade, and the resettlement of displaced communities in Chikun and Igabi.
He also acknowledged the support of the Federal Government, commending the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, as well as the Ministers of Defence, Service Chiefs, and other security stakeholders.
Sani stressed that the root causes of insecurity ran deeper than armed conflict, citing poverty, illiteracy, and exclusion as some underlying drivers.
“Insecurity is not just a failure of arms. It is the result of years of policy neglect, economic exclusion, and weak governance structures,” he said.
The governor called on Northern leaders to confront their own role in the region’s long standing security challenges, stating that blaming the current administration for inherited problems would be misleading.
“Our problems did not begin two years ago. They are decades old. It is not honest to put the burden entirely on President Tinubu,” he said.
Sani further urged the elites in the region to rise beyond political posturing and contribute meaningfully to peacebuilding, inclusion, and development.
“Security is everyone’s responsibility. No president or governor can succeed in isolation. We must all take ownership of the North’s future,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
