By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has reaffirmed that it’s objective to ensure prevention of attacks, dismantle criminal networks as well as deny unlawful anlrmed groups safe haven and restore public confidence in the states capacity to protect citizens.
Making the declaration Saturday in Sokoto, the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu divulged that theybremained committed to ensuring that security gains translate into safer communities, productive farms, functioning markets as well as guaranteeing children return to schools without fears.
Malam Ribadu, who was repressed by Barrister Zakari Usman Mijinyawa, the Director Legal Services in the ONSA
said combining effective security operations with responsive governance and community participation, we can confront the present threat and build a more secure and resilient state.
The NSA in his keynote address at Sokoto Advancement Forums’ Brainstorming Session on, “Coping With Banditry In Sokoto State”, decried that banditry in Sokoto has evolved beyond cattle rustling, highway robbery and kidnapping, as the armed groups not only threaten communities, abduct residents for ransom, disrupt agriculture and commerce, but also impose unlawful restrictions on rural populations.
“These activities undermine public authority and threaten the economic foundations of community life”.
According to Malama Ribadu, Sokoto’s proximity to the Republic of Niger and the wider Sahel adds a significant cross-border dimension to the insecurity challenge, thus increasing growing links between local insecurity and transnational extremist networks.
And to mitigate this challenge, the NSA
commended the Sokoto Advancement Forum (SAF) and the Centre for Peace Studies, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, for convening the timely dialogue, advising, “We must therefore combine intelligence-led operations, effective border management, regional cooperation and sustained action against the supply of illicit weapons and other logistical support.
“Our response must also distinguish hardened criminal actors from vulnerable individuals who may be susceptible to recruitment, applying the law firmly while providing lawful pathways to disengagement for eligible persons”.
Talking on the Human and Economic Cost of insecurity, the NSA said, it affects every aspect of community life as abductions traumatise families, make locals to abandon farms thus threaten food production, disrupt markets and weaken trade and deprive children of education.
“The consequences extend beyond affected communities to the wider economy and national food security”.
While stressing that successes against insecurity must go beyond arrest and weapon recovering to safer communities, Malam Nuhu Ribadu said it should also include productive farms, reopened schools, functioning markets and the restoration of public confidence.
“Our security strategy must protect both lives and livelihoods.
Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government continues to strengthen its response to terrorism and armed criminality through military operations, intelligence gathering, law enforcement, border security and inter-agency cooperation.
“These ongoing efforts will continue to be strengthened to disrupt criminal networks, protect vulnerable communities and achieve sustainable security outcomes.
“We commend the officers and men of our armed forces and other security agencies for their sacrifices, as well as law-abiding citizens who support legitimate efforts to restore peace. The Federal Government will continue to strengthen the welfare, operational capacity and institutional support of security personnel while promoting responsible community participation”, Malam Nuhu Ribadu assured.
