Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has emphasized the need for a collaborative approach towards fostering regional stability and socio-economic prosperity while addressing the root causes of conflicts and insecurity.
The Governor who spoke at the Policymakers Technical Session on the North-West Peace and Security Development Framework in Kaduna yesterday (Monday, July 29), stressed the urgency of the situation, lamenting that the North-West zone faces existential threats from rural banditry, insurgency, cattle rustling, kidnapping, and communal violence.
Sani highlighted the session’s objective of reviewing the report from the Katsina Summit and developing a comprehensive road map to address the region’s security challenges, agonizing over the deleterious effects of these issues on the region, including rising poverty, alarming rates of out-of-school children, food insecurity, and decaying infrastructure.
To combat these challenges, the Governor proposed a multidimensional approach, calling for the establishment of a dedicated Theater Command to combat bandits and terrorists.
 He also suggested extending the operations of the Multinational Joint Task Force to cover the international borders of the North-West as a measure to address the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
Sani also urged the formation of standing security committees at state and local government levels involving civil society, religious and traditional leaders, for effective synergy and early warnings against violence.
Advocating regular reviews and refinements of security strategies, including non-kinetic approaches such as deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and transitional justice, Governor Sani emphasised the importance of socio-economic interventions to address rural poverty and infrastructure deficits, calling for stimulating investment, developing agriculture and agri-business, expanding rural infrastructure, broadening access to education and healthcare, and promoting a sense of inclusion among citizens.
Sani also urged the Commissioners to give their best to the assignment as the outcome was eagerly being awaited by the North-West Governors.
Calling for unity and a collective effort to restore peace and security in the region, while declaring the session open, Sani expressed profound gratitude to UNDP for its practical steps towards fulfilling the commitment made at the inaugural North-West Peace and Security Summit in Katsina.
In his remarks, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, Kaduna State’s ‘overseeing’ Commissioner of the State Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, emphasised the need for stronger security collaboration among North-West States, emphasizing the importance of regional synergy to address the complex security challenges, which threaten food security, education, healthcare, civic freedom, social cohesion and the rural economy of the region.
