Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has remarked on the alarming rise of insecurity and poverty in the Northern region, formerly known as an oasis of peace. Speaking through his deputy, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, during the executive committee meeting of the Northern Traditional Council, Governor Sani emphasized the urgent need for collaborative efforts among Northern states to address these pressing challenges.
The meeting, attended by traditional rulers from all 19 Northern states, along with representatives from the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the Coalition of Northern Groups, highlighted the gravity of the situation. Governor Sani proposed establishing a command and control center to coordinate joint efforts against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements within the region.
“Our region, once a beacon of peace and stability and a vital contributor to the nation’s food security, has sadly become the epicenter of terrorism, banditry, and kidnappings,” Governor Sani lamented. “Our local economies have suffered, and the loss of lives is staggering.”
He urged political and traditional leaders to confront these challenges head-on by prioritizing education, healthcare, agriculture, poverty alleviation, and unemployment. Additionally, he stressed the importance of infrastructure development, especially in critical sectors like agriculture, power, and transportation.
Governor Sani called for a united front among Northern states to develop a common strategy to combat insecurity. He emphasized the need for traditional rulers to play a leading role in mobilizing communities and supporting security forces in degrading criminal elements. Establishing early warning systems and intelligence-gathering mechanisms within communities was also highlighted as crucial.
“The traditional institution must be revitalized to enhance security and stability,” Governor Sani asserted. “Traditional rulers have a significant role to play in restoring peace and prosperity to our communities.”
Representing the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi, Alhaji Abdul Enenche underscored the importance of traditional institutions in identifying security threats before they escalate. He called for collective collaboration among all stakeholders and emphasized the need to address challenges posed by informants within communities.
“Informants pose a significant challenge to security agencies,” Enenche noted. “Traditional rulers can assist in identifying insider threats and supporting security agencies in maintaining peace and security.”
