Former Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (rtd), has expressed deep concern over the worsening insecurity in Northern Nigeria, lamenting that bandits and insurgents have effectively taken control of some communities, where they now impose taxes and enforce their own laws.
Dambazau, who also served as Chief of Army Staff, made the remarks on Monday during the First Media and Security Summit held in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, with the theme “Existential Threats and National Security.”
He noted that the insecurity crisis in the region has persisted for more than two decades and has now reached alarming levels.
“People have been killed in mosques in Katsina, Borno, Zamfara, and Kano. The North has endured years of farmer-herder clashes, terrorism, and banditry,” Dambazau said.
“We are now in a situation where bandits and insurgents have taken over some of our communities, taxing and making laws for them. Thousands have been killed and millions displaced. The number of widows and orphans keeps rising, while farms have been abandoned and cattle rustled with little or no action from authorities.”
The retired general urged northern governors to create ministries of mineral resources in their states and work closely with federal agencies to harness natural resources and expand their revenue base.
According to him, improving economic conditions is vital to tackling poverty and insecurity.
Dambazau further called on state governments to revitalize the traditional institution, promote agricultural development, address the problem of out-of-school children, and enhance social inclusion as part of long-term security strategies.
He warned that more than 70 percent of Nigerians living in poverty due to insecurity are from the North, adding that religious extremism remains a grave threat.
“Groups like Boko Haram, the Lakurawa terrorists, and bandits have all exploited this extremism to unleash violence on our people,” he added.
Speaking at the event, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, emphasized that security should not be left to the government alone.
“Security is everybody’s responsibility,” the Sultan said.
“We must come together, talk to one another, and work collectively to restore peace. Nigeria was not always like this, we can still fix it if we act together.”
Also addressing the summit, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State stressed the need for unity among northern states to confront the security crisis.
“The insecurity in the North West is alarming,” he said.
“The summit should examine the root causes, which may include climate change and other underlying issues.”
In his remarks, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris described the summit as a timely opportunity for northern leaders and stakeholders to find lasting solutions to the region’s growing insecurity challenges.
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