National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has called for stronger intelligence-sharing, tighter border controls and greater community participation to tackle banditry in Sokoto State, warning that military operations alone cannot end the crisis. Ribadu said the activities of armed groups had expanded beyond cattle rustling, highway robbery and kidnapping to include…...
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has called for stronger intelligence-sharing, tighter border controls and greater community participation to tackle banditry in Sokoto State, warning that military operations alone cannot end the crisis.
Ribadu said the activities of armed groups had expanded beyond cattle rustling, highway robbery and kidnapping to include territorial control, illegal taxation of rural communities and disruption of economic activities.
According to Vanguard, he spoke through the Director of Legal Services in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Zakari Mijinyawa, at a security brainstorming session organised by the Sokoto Advancement Forum in collaboration with the Centre for Peace Studies, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, on Saturday.
The NSA identified Sokoto’s proximity to the Republic of Niger and the wider Sahel as a major challenge, noting that criminal groups exploited porous borders and security gaps to sustain their operations.
“Sokoto’s proximity to the Republic of Niger and the wider Sahel adds a significant cross-border dimension to this challenge,” he said.
Ribadu called for intelligence-led operations, improved border management and regional cooperation, alongside efforts to cut off the supply of illegal weapons and other logistical support to criminal groups.
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He also urged authorities to address the economic and social conditions that expose young people to recruitment by armed groups, while supporting lawful rehabilitation programmes for eligible individuals willing to renounce violence.
However, he warned that rehabilitation must not come at the expense of accountability.
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“Reintegration must never replace justice or reward violence,” Ribadu said.
He outlined five priority areas for improving security in Sokoto: denying armed groups safe havens, strengthening intelligence and early-warning systems, building community trust, protecting agriculture and rural livelihoods, and preventing youth recruitment into criminal networks.
Ribadu specifically identified Sabon Birni, Isa, Tangaza and Goronyo as areas requiring stronger early-warning mechanisms to ensure that reports of suspicious movements and emerging threats reach security agencies promptly.
He said residents would be more willing to provide useful intelligence if they trusted security agencies to respond to reports and protect sensitive information.
The NSA also warned that persistent insecurity was affecting farming, trade and children’s education, deepening the economic hardship faced by communities.
He said the effectiveness of security operations should not be measured solely by arrests, weapons recovered or territories cleared, but also by whether residents could resume normal activities.
“Success must also mean safer communities, returning families, productive farms, reopened schools, functioning markets and the restoration of public confidence,” he said.