North-West Insecurity: Katsina Governor, DSS Boss Advocate United Front

Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Oluwatosin Ajayi, have emphasized the need for a collaborative effort to address the growing insecurity in the North-West region. At the second North-West Zonal Conference of State Directors of Security, held in Katsina, both leaders stressed that a unified approach involving security agencies, government institutions, and communities is crucial to tackling terrorism, banditry, and other criminal activities. The conference, themed "Unite Against Terror," provided a platform for security stakeholders to review the evolving security situation in the region, share operational experiences, and develop effective strategies to contain banditry and terrorism. Governor Radda, represented by his deputy Malam Faruk Jobe, noted that Katsina State has witnessed significant improvement in security through a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic measures. He highlighted that the state has transitioned from persistent killings and kidnappings to improved stability due to stronger collaboration with security agencies. The governor also emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of insecurity, investing in non-kinetic measures such as providing free medical care to victims of banditry and prioritizing agriculture to strengthen livelihoods. Radda urged the need for stronger community intelligence and responsible media reporting, cautioning against sensationalism that could aid criminals. He encouraged participants to gather feedback from the community on how to improve the security situation and suggested that propaganda could be a useful tool in boosting the morale of security forces and the community. The DSS Director-General, represented by the Kano State Director of Security, Husseini Abubakar, also called for a united and coordinated approach to tackle terrorism, banditry, and other criminal activities. He commended the existing synergy among security and law enforcement agencies in the region, describing such collaboration as essential to securing communities. The conference aimed to strengthen intelligence-led operations and develop a common regional strategy against insecurity, with the theme "Unite Against Terror" reflecting the need for collective action. The Katsina State Director of Security, Alhassan Iliyasu, emphasized that the responsibility for securing communities cannot be left solely to security agencies, but requires the collective effort of the entire society.