Insecurity: Katsina governor seeks stronger inter-agency synergies, social interventions

Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda has urged for strengthened collaboration among security agencies and increased social and economic interventions to combat terrorism and banditry in Nigeria's North-West region. Speaking at the second North-West Zonal Conference of State Directors of Security in Katsina, Radda also advocated for strategic media counter-propaganda to bolster the morale of security forces and prevent the undue amplification of banditry.

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When we came on board, about 26 local government areas were under constant attack.

The governor, represented by his deputy Faruk Jobe, stated that the region's security challenges necessitate a coordinated response from government, security agencies, and communities. The conference, themed ‘Unite Against Terror,’ convened security chiefs, traditional rulers, local government representatives, and intelligence officers.

Radda highlighted that Katsina has experienced improved stability, moving from persistent killings and kidnappings to a more secure environment. This progress, he attributed to stronger collaboration with security agencies and significant investment in non-kinetic measures addressing the root causes of insecurity. He noted that when his administration took office, approximately 26 local government areas were under constant attack.

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I would encourage the participants to ensure that we get feedback from the community on how to improve our own situation. Part of the measures that we should do, in my own opinion, is that we should embark on propaganda. You know, propaganda is also a form of war.

To further enhance security, Radda called for stronger community intelligence and responsible media reporting, cautioning against sensationalism that could aid criminals. He specifically suggested using propaganda to boost the morale of security forces, arguing that current narratives sometimes overstate the capacity of bandits. "Security forces need to be encouraged. Their morals need to be improved," he stated, also appealing to the media to support security initiatives and acknowledge that "everybody is a journalist" in the current media landscape.

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Why is it so? Because the morale of our people is very low when it comes to the issue of the way we say so many things about the activities of the bandits. Sometimes, we overstate their approach, their capacity, or whatnot. So, I think we should do it the other way around.

On his part, the DSS Director-General Adeola Ajayi, represented by Kano State Director of Security Husseini Abubakar, called for a united and coordinated approach among stakeholders to tackle the persistent security threats in the North-West.

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Security forces need to be encouraged. Their morals need to be improved. Not only in terms of elimination, but in terms of the way we approach the issue of insecurity. Finally, I want to call on the media to support our security initiative. Because today, everybody is a journalist. The way and manner we conduct our affairs need to be re-organised.