Sokoto gov’s aide urges North-West unity to fight banditry

The Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Sokoto State Governor, Col. Ahmed Usman (retd.), has commended the Zamfara State Government for establishing a Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration, Peace and Security Committee, describing it as a major step towards achieving lasting peace in the North-West.

Usman said the initiative, which combines security operations with rehabilitation and reintegration, could help address some of the underlying factors sustaining banditry and other forms of violent crime in the region.

The 13-member committee was inaugurated on Monday at the Government House, Gusau, by the Zamfara State Deputy Governor, Malam Mani Malam Mummuni, on behalf of Governor Dauda Lawal.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Sokoto security adviser said the committee’s composition, involving government agencies, security institutions, traditional and religious leaders and other stakeholders, would strengthen coordination in the state’s response to insecurity.

He said military operations remained critical in confronting armed criminal groups but should be complemented by measures capable of encouraging genuine surrender, rehabilitation and reintegration.

“The fight against banditry cannot be won through military action alone. There must be a coordinated approach that combines effective security operations with peacebuilding, rehabilitation, justice, community engagement and reintegration where appropriate,” he said.

Usman, however, stressed that the DDR process must be carefully managed to prevent criminals from exploiting the programme.

“Those who genuinely surrender their weapons, renounce violence and demonstrate commitment to peaceful coexistence should be given a structured opportunity to return to society, while those who continue to terrorise innocent communities must face the full weight of the law,” he added.

He welcomed the involvement of federal institutions, including the National Counter-Terrorism Centre under the Office of the National Security Adviser, Operation Safe Corridor, the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons and the Federal Ministry of Justice.

According to him, their participation would provide the necessary technical, legal and institutional support to ensure that the programme is credible, transparent and effective.

The Special Adviser also commended the Inter-Mediate delegation led by Ambassador Sérgio Jaramillo, former National Security Adviser to Colombia; General Alberto Mejia (retd.), former Commander of the Colombian Armed Forces; and General Félix Rodney (retd.), former British Defence and National Security Adviser to the Sultan of Oman.

He said the experience of the delegation in peacebuilding and post-conflict interventions could provide useful lessons for the North-West in developing a DDR framework that reflects the region’s peculiar security challenges.

Usman emphasised that successful reintegration must be community-based and subject to stringent screening.

He warned that without proper safeguards, the process could be abused by criminal elements seeking to infiltrate communities or legitimate institutions.

The Sokoto security adviser further called for stronger cooperation among states in the North-West, noting that banditry had become a regional challenge that could not be effectively tackled by individual states acting in isolation.

“Banditry is a regional challenge, and therefore our response must also be coordinated at the regional level. What happens in one state can have direct consequences for neighbouring states,” he said.

He urged the states to strengthen intelligence sharing, joint security operations, surveillance along border communities and cooperation between security agencies.

He also called for greater investment in lawful livelihoods and community engagement to reduce the vulnerability of residents to recruitment into criminal activities.

Usman said Sokoto State remained committed to supporting initiatives aimed at restoring peace and stability across the North-West, stressing that the ultimate goal should be to protect lives and property and enable affected communities to resume normal economic and social activities.

He congratulated Governor Dauda Lawal and the Zamfara State Government on the inauguration of the committee, expressing optimism that the initiative would contribute to sustainable peace and development in the region.