Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has cautioned opposition parties against politicizing the issue of insecurity, stating that claims of resolving the problem solely through military action are unrealistic. He made this statement at the public presentation of a book written by the late Sheikh Abubakar Mahmud Gumi, which was organized by Jamaátu Izalatul Bidáh Wa ‘iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) on Saturday.

The Governor, who represented President Bola Tinubu as Special Guest of Honour, emphasized that the insecurity in the North West is distinct from the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East, as it is driven by factors such as poverty, unemployment, and neglect of rural communities. He argued that the use of firearms alone cannot resolve the issue, and that anyone claiming otherwise is “playing politics.”

Governor Sani noted that Nigeria’s security manpower has decreased significantly over the past 45 years, despite the country’s rapid population growth. He cited statistics showing that the number of soldiers has decreased from 300,000 in 1970 to less than 250,000 today, while the population has increased by over 100 million. This, he said, makes it impossible to rely solely on military action to solve the problem.

The Governor also highlighted the lack of security presence in many parts of the Northwest, citing areas such as Zamfara, Birnin Gwari, and Katsina, where one can travel for up to 50 kilometers without encountering a single security personnel. He emphasized the need for a non-kinetic approach to addressing insecurity, such as the Kaduna Peace Model, which involves traditional, religious leaders, and other stakeholders.

The Kaduna Peace Model, according to Governor Sani, was initiated by affected communities and has shown promising results. He cited the example of Birnin Gwari, where the Emir played a key role in restoring peace, and noted that the approach involves understanding the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to education and healthcare.

Governor Sani stressed the importance of leaders taking responsibility for addressing insecurity, rather than relying on the federal government to solve the problem. He emphasized that it is the duty of elected officials to protect their people and that they will be held accountable for their actions. The Governor’s comments highlight the need for a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach to addressing insecurity in Nigeria, one that goes beyond military action and addresses the underlying social and economic factors driving the problem.