In a pivotal move to combat the escalating wave of banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes plaguing Nigeria's North-West geopolitical zone, Directors of the Department of State Services (DSS) from the region gathered in Kaduna for a strategic conference. The meeting, which commenced on Thursday at the DSS office complex situated along Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari Way, assembled State Directors of Security from seven core North-West states: Kebbi, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara. Adding to the breadth of representation, delegates from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Niger State, and Plateau State also participated, underscoring the interconnected nature of security challenges across neighboring areas.
The conference was formally inaugurated by Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, who was ably represented by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Sule Shuaibu (SAN). In his opening remarks, Governor Sani underscored the indispensable role of intelligence-led collaboration as the cornerstone for dismantling security threats not only in the North-West but throughout Nigeria. He hailed the DSS as "the invisible backbone of Nigeria’s internal stability," praising the agency's unwavering commitment to protecting democratic institutions and proactively neutralizing potential dangers to national sovereignty.
Governor Sani elaborated that the gathering served as a vital platform for introspection, enhanced coordination, and the rejuvenation of strategic frameworks among key security actors. He highlighted Kaduna State's proactive stance in prioritizing intelligence-driven security protocols, noting the state's seamless partnership with the DSS and allied agencies. This cooperation has been instrumental in identifying and thwarting a spectrum of threats, including violent extremism, acts of sabotage, and the proliferation of misinformation campaigns that often exacerbate communal tensions.
Delving deeper into the evolving demands of contemporary security management, the governor advocated for a paradigm shift beyond conventional intelligence collection methods. He called for substantial investments in advanced analytical capabilities, fostering unbreakable inter-agency trust, and integrating cutting-edge technology into intelligence operations. Such innovations, he argued, would enable faster, more precise responses to emerging threats.
Moreover, Governor Sani emphasized the necessity of complementing kinetic operations—those involving direct force—with non-kinetic approaches rooted in peacebuilding. These include robust community engagement initiatives, preventive diplomacy efforts, and the development of counter-narratives to discredit extremist ideologies. "Peace must be pursued through justice, development, and inclusion," he declared, stressing that sustainable security cannot be achieved through coercion alone but requires addressing the root causes of discontent, such as poverty, inequality, and marginalization.
The event also featured insightful contributions from traditional leadership, with the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, lauding the DSS for its exemplary partnership with royal institutions in tackling security issues at the grassroots level. The Emir revealed a remarkable achievement stemming from DSS-supported alternative dispute resolution mechanisms: the Zazzau Emirate had successfully cleared over 2,000 backlog cases from its courts in just two years. This initiative not only alleviated judicial burdens but also promoted faster, more culturally sensitive resolutions to local conflicts.
Furthermore, the monarch commended the DSS's rigorous vetting process for district and village heads, which has been pivotal in weeding out unscrupulous individuals from traditional governance structures. "It is better to get rid of them from the beginning than to allow them to exploit their people," he asserted, pointing out how corrupt or incompetent leaders can become enablers of crime, including banditry and kidnapping, by colluding with criminal elements or failing to report suspicious activities.
Military perspectives were represented by Brigadier-General Mohammed Kana, the Garrison Commander, who stood in for the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Major-General Mohammed Wase. Brigadier-General Kana affirmed that the armed forces had recorded substantial victories against bandits and terrorists in the North-West, attributing these successes largely to the reliable and timely intelligence supplied by the DSS. He described this intelligence-sharing as a force multiplier, enabling precise targeting of hideouts, disruption of supply chains, and preemptive strikes that have significantly degraded the operational capacity of criminal networks.
In his welcome address, the Kaduna State Director of the DSS, Mr. Hakeem Abiola, provided context for the zonal meeting, explaining that it was specifically organized to assess ongoing operational hurdles and bolster synergistic efforts among security entities in the North-West. Under the stewardship of the Director-General, Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, the DSS has rolled out a balanced array of interventions, encompassing both kinetic actions—such as raids and arrests—and non-kinetic programs designed to "win the hearts and minds" of the populace.
Abiola elaborated on the agency's multifaceted collaborations, particularly with traditional rulers, religious bodies, and civil society groups, which have proven essential for maintaining peace in Kaduna and beyond. He cited regular dialogues with organizations like the Jama'atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), alongside community leaders, as key to nipping potential disputes in the bud before they spiral into violence. These engagements have facilitated the resolution of sensitive inter-communal, religious, or resource-based conflicts, preventing escalation into broader insecurity.
The conference comes at a critical juncture for the North-West, a region long besieged by rampant banditry that has displaced thousands, disrupted agricultural activities, and stifled economic growth. Kidnappings for ransom have become a lucrative enterprise for armed groups, often operating from vast forest reserves that span state boundaries. The inclusion of representatives from the FCT, Niger, and Plateau highlights the porous nature of these threats, which frequently spill over into central Nigeria, affecting highways, schools, and rural communities.
Participants at the meeting engaged in closed-door sessions to map out actionable strategies, including enhanced border patrols, real-time intelligence sharing platforms, and community policing models. Discussions also touched on leveraging technology, such as drones for surveillance and data analytics for predicting crime hotspots. The emphasis on non-kinetic measures reflects a growing recognition that military might alone cannot eradicate deeply entrenched criminality; instead, it must be paired with socio-economic interventions like youth empowerment programs, infrastructure development in vulnerable areas, and educational campaigns to counter radicalization.
Governor Sani's representation by Commissioner Shuaibu (SAN) added a layer of governmental endorsement, signaling Kaduna's commitment to hosting and supporting such forums. The state's strategic location as a commercial hub makes it a focal point for security initiatives, with past incidents of highway ambushes and urban attacks underscoring the urgency of unified action.
The Emir's remarks on court decongestion and leadership vetting illustrate the DSS's innovative role in governance reform, extending its mandate beyond espionage to institutional strengthening. By removing unfit traditional authorities, the agency helps restore public trust in local leadership, which is crucial for intelligence gathering at the village level—often the first line of defense against infiltrators.
Military gains reported by Brigadier-General Kana include the neutralization of high-profile bandit kingpins and the rescue of hostages, outcomes made possible by DSS tips on movements and hideouts. This synergy exemplifies the whole-of-government approach advocated throughout the conference.
Director Abiola's overview of DG Ajayi's leadership paints a picture of a revitalized DSS, proactive in both enforcement and outreach. Community-based peace initiatives, such as town hall meetings and reconciliation committees, have fostered dialogue in flashpoint areas, reducing reprisal attacks and building resilience against manipulation by criminals.
As the meeting concluded its opening day, attendees expressed optimism that the deliberations would yield concrete roadmaps for regional stability. With insecurity in the North-West not only a local affliction but a national concern impacting food security and investor confidence, the outcomes of this Kaduna summit could set precedents for similar zonal engagements elsewhere in Nigeria.
In essence, the conference reaffirmed that tackling banditry and kidnapping requires a holistic strategy: robust intelligence, inter-agency harmony, military precision, traditional wisdom, and inclusive development. By converging in Kaduna, these DSS leaders and stakeholders have taken a decisive step toward reclaiming peace in a region desperate for respite from violence. The road ahead demands sustained implementation, but the foundation laid here promises a more secure North-West, bolstering Nigeria's overall stability.
