Sokoto gov’s aide urges North-West unity to fight banditry

Col. Ahmed Usman (retd.), the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Sokoto State Governor, has praised the Zamfara State Government's establishment of a Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration, Peace and Security Committee. He described the initiative as a significant stride toward achieving lasting peace in the North-West region, a persistent challenge marked by banditry and violent crime.

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The initiative, which combines security operations with rehabilitation and reintegration, could help address some of the underlying factors sustaining banditry and other forms of violent crime in the region.

Usman believes that this committee, which integrates security operations with rehabilitation and reintegration efforts, can effectively tackle the underlying factors that sustain criminal activities. The 13-member committee was inaugurated in Gusau by Zamfara State Deputy Governor Malam Mani Malam Mummuni. Usman highlighted that the committee's composition, which includes government agencies, security institutions, traditional and religious leaders, and other stakeholders, will enhance coordination in the state's security response.

While acknowledging the critical role of military operations against armed criminal groups, Usman emphasized that these must be complemented by measures that encourage genuine surrender, rehabilitation, and reintegration. "The fight against banditry cannot be won through military action alone. There must be a coordinated approach that combines effective security operations with peacebuilding, rehabilitation, justice, community engagement and reintegration where appropriate," he stated.

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The fight against banditry cannot be won through military action alone. There must be a coordinated approach that combines effective security operations with peacebuilding, rehabilitation, justice, community engagement and reintegration where appropriate.

He stressed the importance of carefully managing the DDR process to prevent exploitation by criminals. Those who genuinely renounce violence and surrender weapons should be offered a structured path back into society, while persistent offenders must face legal consequences. Usman also welcomed the involvement of federal institutions, such as the National Counter-Terrorism Centre and Operation Safe Corridor, noting their potential to provide crucial technical, legal, and institutional support for the program's credibility and effectiveness. The involvement of an Inter-Mediate delegation with international peacebuilding experience was also commended.

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Those who genuinely surrender their weapons, renounce violence and demonstrate commitment to peaceful coexistence should be given a structured opportunity to return to society, while those who continue to terrorise innocent communities must face the full weight of the law.