Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has cautioned against politicizing insecurity, emphasizing that firearms alone cannot eradicate banditry. The governor made this statement at the public presentation of “Where I Stand,” a book written by the late Sheikh Abubakar Mahmud Gumi. He argued that the root causes of banditry, including poverty, unemployment, and neglect of rural communities, must be addressed.

Governor Sani noted that the security situation in the Northwest differs from the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East, which is driven by ideology. He stressed that a non-kinetic approach, focusing on community engagement and development, is necessary to tackle insecurity. The governor cited the Kaduna peace model, which involves traditional and religious leaders, as an example of this approach.

The governor also highlighted the shortage of security personnel in Nigeria, despite the country’s significant population growth over the past 45 years. He pointed out 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 firearms to solve the problem.

Governor Sani emphasized the need for leaders to take responsibility for addressing insecurity, rather than expecting the federal government to solve the problem. He noted that the Kaduna peace model was initiated by the affected communities and has shown promising results. The governor also urged leaders to prioritize the development of rural areas, including the provision of schools, hospitals, and commerce, to reduce poverty and unemployment.

The governor’s comments come as Nigeria continues to grapple with insecurity, particularly in the Northwest region. The country’s security challenges are complex and multifaceted, requiring a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of violence and instability. By emphasizing the need for a non-kinetic approach and community engagement, Governor Sani is highlighting the importance of a nuanced and sustainable solution to Nigeria’s security challenges.