Federal lawmakers, security chiefs, traditional rulers and senior officials including Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar met in Kaduna on Saturday for the North-West Zonal Security Summit, amid surging banditry and mass abductions across the region.
The summit, convened by the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on National Security, focused on boosting regional collaboration to combat terrorism, banditry and kidnappings in the seven North-West states.
The meeting followed fresh attacks that have deepened public anxiety.
In his welcome remarks, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani who served as the chief host, said the region needs a fundamental shift in its security approach.
“We require a new security architecture built on military strength, community engagement and long-term development,” he said.
He proposed establishing a North-West Theatre Command to merge the Army’s 1st and 8th Divisions under one coordinated structure.
“This will accelerate intelligence sharing, enhance coordinated operations and dismantle cross-state criminal networks,” he added.
Sani also called for expanding the Multinational Joint Task Force to Nigeria’s border with Niger Republic to block arms trafficking and deny criminals cross-border hideouts.
But he warned that military action alone would not succeed.
He recommended permanent state and local security committees involving traditional and religious leaders, women, youth groups, civil society and security agencies.
Sani renewed his call for state police, describing Nigeria’s centralised structure as “overstretched.”
While speaking, defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar said the administration remained committed to restoring peace.
“The president’s directive is to establish a strong yet adaptive national security architecture to eradicate these threats,” he said.
He noted progress from joint operations that reopened key routes such as Kaduna–Kachia, Kaduna–Birnin Gwari and Jibia–Gurbin Baure, and revived markets in Kaura Namoda, Shinkafi, Batsari, Giwa and Kajuru.
“Farmers are back on their fields, and several displaced communities have returned,” he added.
However, he acknowledged persistent threats from “bandits, terror cells and organised criminal networks.”
In a Keynote paper, Prof. Muhammad Isa of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said current security efforts fall short because they are poorly coordinated and fail to address underlying drivers.
“Even where tactical gains occur, they do not translate into sustainable peace,” he said.
He advocated a comprehensive regional framework integrating security, governance and development.
Earlier, organising Committee Chair, Senator Babangida Hussaini, said the zonal meeting was designed for “frank discussions” on worsening insecurity.
He announced that views from across the country would be harmonised at a National Security Summit in Abuja on December 1.
He commended Governor Uba Sani for what he called “unprecedented support” for the summit.
