By Nkechi Eze
Security experts, media practitioners, and analysts have expressed strong confidence in the strategic initiatives of Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, to combat armed banditry and restore peace across the North-West region, describing his approach as a model of effective leadership and proactive governance in addressing Nigeria’s growing security challenges.
The commendations came during a high-level National Security Summit organised by the Arewa Broadcast Media Practitioners Forum (ABMPF) in collaboration with the Kebbi State Government, held in Birnin Kebbi. The summit focused on “National Security and Existential Threats: The Role of Stakeholders in Safeguarding Nigeria’s Future” and brought together prominent security experts, academics, government officials, and traditional rulers to deliberate on sustainable solutions to insecurity, insurgency, and communal violence across the country.
Declaring the summit open, Governor Nasir Idris reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building durable peace and ensuring the safety of lives and property across Kebbi State. He noted that his government had made substantial investments in both kinetic and non-kinetic security interventions, including the deployment of resources to security formations, rehabilitation of displaced communities, and sustained engagement with traditional institutions, religious leaders, and youth groups.
According to him, these efforts have already begun to yield results, with several communities that were once deserted due to bandit attacks now returning to normalcy. However, the governor cautioned that while progress has been made, armed bandits continue to wreak havoc in some areas, underscoring the need for consistent, multi-stakeholder collaboration to sustain peace.
“We have recorded successes through our partnership with the security agencies and community leaders, which has led to the gradual return of displaced persons to their ancestral homes. But we must not relent. The fight against banditry is a long-term one that requires unity, intelligence sharing, and joint responsibility,” Governor Idris said.
He also reaffirmed his administration’s alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s national security agenda, stressing that Kebbi State remains committed to implementing innovative measures that combine security operations with community-driven peacebuilding efforts.
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Danbazau (rtd), commended Governor Idris for his pragmatic leadership and grassroots approach to security management. He described Kebbi as a state that has balanced forceful intervention with human-centered strategies, such as dialogue, reintegration, and economic empowerment.
“What we see in Kebbi is a reflection of leadership that understands that security is not only about deploying soldiers and police officers. It is also about investing in people, building trust, and addressing the root causes of criminality,” Gen. Danbazau observed.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, also lent his voice to the call for collective action, praising the Kebbi State Government for its open-door policy and inclusivity in addressing security challenges. The revered monarch pledged the full support of the traditional institution to complement the state’s ongoing initiatives, emphasizing that peace can only be sustained through community ownership and moral guidance.
“Security is everyone’s business. Our traditional and religious leaders have a responsibility to preach peace, promote tolerance, and discourage violence. The government alone cannot do it; the people must be part of the solution,” the Sultan declared.
Chairman of the Arewa Broadcast Media Practitioners Forum, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Yelwa, explained that Kebbi State was deliberately chosen to host the summit due to its innovative blend of kinetic and non-kinetic strategies in tackling insecurity. He noted that the state had become a beacon for strategic dialogue, effective communication, and public engagement in security discourse.
“Kebbi represents a template of how communication, intelligence, and community cooperation can complement security operations. This summit, therefore, aims to amplify these lessons and translate them into national action plans,” Yelwa stated.
The summit featured paper presentations and panel discussions by renowned experts, including former INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega; former Director of Army Information, Major General Kuka Sheka (rtd); Dr. Yahuza Getso; Professor Umar Pate, Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Kashere; and Mr. Samuel Aruwan, former Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs.
The experts are expected to produce a comprehensive set of policy recommendations to strengthen governance, intelligence coordination, and community resilience in the face of complex security threats confronting Nigeria.
Participants at the summit agreed that the fight against insecurity must move beyond reactive measures to a holistic approach that combines intelligence, socio-economic reforms, and effective communication strategies. They commended Governor Idris for setting an example in leadership, inclusivity, and responsiveness, and urged other northern governors to emulate Kebbi’s model of people-centered security governance.
As discussions concluded, there was a strong consensus that Nigeria’s path to lasting peace lies in building trust among citizens, empowering local institutions, and fostering collaboration between government, security agencies, the media, and civil society, principles that Kebbi State, under Governor Nasir Idris, continues to embody with notable success.
