By HUSSAINA YAKUBU

Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State has called for an integrated security framework combining Military operations, community engagements and long-term development to tackle insecurity in the North-West.

Sani made the call on Saturday in Kaduna at the Public Hearing of the North-West Zonal Security Summit organised by the Senate Ad hoc Committee on National Security.

The Governor advocated the creation of a North-West Theatre Command, which would place the Nigerian Army’s 1st and 8th Divisions under a unified structure.

According to him, such a command would strengthen intelligence-sharing, improve coordinated operations and help dismantle cross-state criminal networks.

Sani also urged the Federal Government to strengthen regional collaboration by expanding the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to cover Nigeria’s border with the Niger Republic.

The governor said that the measure would disrupt arms trafficking routes and deny criminals cross-border sanctuaries.

He, however, stressed that military force alone was not sufficient in combating insecurity, noting that community trust remained critical.

The governor proposed the establishment of permanent State and Local Government Security Committees, comprising traditional rulers, religious leaders, women and youth groups, civil society and security agencies.

He reiterated his call for the creation of State Police, saying the country’s centralised policing structure was overstretched and unable to effectively secure a population of more than 230 million.

Earlier, the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to ending insecurity in the country.

Badaru said the recent joint operations across Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto and Kebbi, had reopened major routes, improved movement and boosted economic activities in markets previously affected by insecurity.

He added that many hitherto displaced communities had returned to their homes, while several schools earlier shut down due to insecurity had resumed academic activities under better protection.

The minister, however, acknowledged that banditry, terror cells and organised criminal groups were still posing significant threats in the region.

In his keynote presentation, Prof. Muhammad Isa of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said existing security strategies had failed due to fragmentation, poor coordination, overstretched security institutions and weak intelligence systems.

He stated that temporary tactical gains were not translating into lasting peace because the structural drivers of insecurity remained unaddressed.

Isa called for a comprehensive regional collaboration mechanism capable of harmonising strategies, integrating multiple actors and addressing both immediate threats and long-term developmental challenges.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Sen. Babangida Hussaini, said the summit was convened to enable stakeholders in the North-West deliberate on the rising insecurity in the zone.

He said a National Security Summit would be held in Abuja on Monday to collate nationwide perspectives on pathways to securing the country.

Hussaini commended Sani for his support towards the successful hosting of the summit, describing it as unprecedented. (NAN)