Why Military Action Alone Can’t End Terrorism In North West – Uba Sani

Why Military Action Alone Can’t End Terrorism In North West – Uba Sani

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has emphasized that a purely military approach is insufficient to address banditry and terrorism in the Northwest frontline states and Niger State in the Northcentral region.

Speaking at a high-level town hall meeting in Kaduna, Governor Sani asserted that effective resolution of security challenges requires a comprehensive understanding of the crisis and close cooperation among frontline states, stakeholders, and security agencies.

The event was organized by the Kukah Centre in partnership with Global Rights, supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), as part of a project aimed at building community resilience against insecurity, violent extremism, and enhancing women’s inclusion in peace-building efforts in Kaduna and Sokoto states.

Read Also See Striking Moon PHOTOS And VIDEO Captured By India’s Lunar Lander During Its Approach

Governor Sani, represented by Samuel Aruwan, the Mayor of Kaduna Capital Territory Authority and former Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, highlighted the threats posed by banditry and terrorism to food security, education, healthcare, and rural development.

He stressed, “Military action alone cannot solve the problems we are facing in the Northwest or frontline states. We need to come together; we need to understand that banditry has no political affiliation. Banditry is a threat to all of us.”

Regarding an alliance between bandits and terrorists from neighboring countries, Governor Sani recalled the collaborative attack on the Kaduna-Abuja corridor on March 28, 2022, indicating that such alliances were affecting Nigeria.

Father Atta Barkindo, the Executive Director of the Kukah Centre, outlined three measures to address security threats, particularly in the Northwest. He advocated for the liberalization of the economy to boost private sector growth and generate employment opportunities, security reform to motivate security personnel, and tackling the culture of impunity and lack of accountability.

Barkindo also highlighted the importance of education, particularly technical skills, to empower individuals for self-sufficiency.

During a keynote presentation on women’s role in peace-building, Rebecca Sako-John, a permanent commissioner with the Kaduna State Peace Commission, emphasized that achieving sustainable security solutions requires the active involvement of women in decision-making processes. She pointed out that women are often disproportionately affected in conflict situations and stressed the need for their inclusion in discussions on matters that impact them.