Sani Usman, a retired Brigadier-General of the Nigerian Army, has proposed a holistic security strategy for managing insecurity of all the States in Northwest, Nigeria.
Usman, who is a former Director of Army Public Relations, noted that adopting a new security strategy would positively impact public safety, and ensure effective management of the prevailing security challenge ravaging the region.
He gave the suggestion, while addressing a two-day retreat organised by the Katsina State Government for officials and security experts in the State, holding in Kaduna State.
The military personnel said that there is the need for those tasked with the management of the security challenge in the region to consider looking beyond traditional security measures in tackling the problem.
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“Katsina State, like many others in the northwest, faces severe security challenges, including banditry, kidnapping, and herder-farmer conflicts. These issues threaten governance, economic growth, and social stability. Addressing them requires a blend of security operations, peacebuilding strategies, and conflict management mechanisms”, he stated.
The retird military officer, noted with delight the recent initiatives of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s administration, which range from the establishment of a community watch corps, and a dedicated security ministry, as a positive steps good for the management of the challenge.
“We need to move beyond just policing. We need economic programmes that give young people alternatives to crime.
” We need traditional leaders and religious groups at the table. And we need intelligence gathering that helps us stay ahead of threats,” he pinpointed.
“Any kind of leadership that does not improve the human condition is not leadership—it is simply occupying a seat”, he said.
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