Uba Sani Calls for Unity Against North-West Insecurity

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has issued a compelling call for a unified, multi-dimensional strategy to dismantle the network of insecurity currently strangling the North-West geopolitical zone. Speaking on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, during the North-West Zonal Peace and Security Summit held in Kaduna, the Governor argued that the days of isolated state interventions are over. The summit, themed “Towards Enduring Peace and Harmony in the North-West Zone,” was organized by the Cheren Peace Foundation in partnership with the North-West Governors Forum, bringing together key stakeholders to address the region’s persistent challenges.

Represented by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Alhaji Sule Shaibu (SAN), Governor Sani underscored a fundamental reality of modern warfare: that no single state, institution, or security agency possesses the capacity to neutralize these threats in isolation. He pointed out that the security architecture of the region must evolve into an integrated machine fueled by intelligence sharing and joint cross-border operations. According to the Governor, the bandits and terrorists plaguing the zone do not respect state boundaries; they exploit them. Therefore, the response must be as fluid and interconnected as the threats themselves.

The Kaduna State leader emphasized that while kinetic military action is necessary, it remains insufficient if the root causes—poverty, exclusion, and weak social cohesion—are left to fester. He showcased the “Kaduna Peace Model” as a blueprint for the region, describing it as a people-centered, non-kinetic strategy that prioritizes dialogue and justice alongside tactical support for security agencies. By empowering local communities to transition from passive victims to “Partners In Peace,” the state has begun to build an early-warning infrastructure that relies on the eyes and ears of the citizenry rather than just the boots of the military.

Sani’s vision for the North-West extends into the socio-economic realm, where he believes the ultimate battle against extremism will be won. He detailed his administration’s efforts to expand education and social protection for youth and women, arguing that providing a path to prosperity is the most effective way to drain the recruitment pool for criminal gangs. He further cautioned against the “silent killers” of peace—hate speech and misinformation—urging the media and civil society to act as buffers against narratives that incite division.

The summit also received the weight of spiritual and federal authority. The Sultan of Sokoto, represented by the Emir of Jama’a, echoed the Governor’s sentiments, noting that development is an impossible dream in a climate of fear. He challenged religious leaders to move beyond rhetoric and become true champions of compassion and inter-faith dialogue. Similarly, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), speaking through his Special Adviser, reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to community-focused security and urged the youth to reject the allure of social vices in favor of entrepreneurship and community service.

As the convener, Bishop Timothy Cheren, reflected on twenty-five years of peacebuilding, he noted that this zonal intervention was born out of a desperate need to address the national breakdown of peace. With the support of the Kaduna State Government, the summit served as a critical reminder that while the North-West faces a complex crisis, the solution lies in a collective, intellectual, and compassionate approach to governance and security.