Yusuf, DSS Seek Stronger Regional Collaboration Against Banditry, Kidnapping in North-West

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has reaffirmed the commitment of the Department of State Services and other security agencies to tackling insecurity across the North-West region through stronger collaboration, intelligence sharing, and coordinated operations.

The governor made the remarks during the North-West Zonal Directors of Security Conference held in Kano, which brought together security chiefs from Katsina, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara states.

Welcoming participants to the conference, Yusuf described the gathering as a crucial platform for exchanging ideas, sharing operational experiences, and developing coordinated strategies to address the region’s growing security concerns.

He stressed that Kano, being the most populous and cosmopolitan state in the North-West, is directly affected by security challenges in neighboring states.

The governor cited the recent abduction of Alhaji Hamza Musa Durba, Secretary of Kibiya Local Government Area, who was rescued through what he described as a swift intelligence-led operation.

“There is no doubt that our security and intelligence agencies deserve absolute commendation,” Yusuf said.

He also praised the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for investing heavily in the nation’s security architecture.

“The Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, whose determination to secure Nigeria and Nigerians strengthens our collective resolve,” the governor stated.

Yusuf further commended the DSS for intercepting arms and ammunition allegedly being transported to other states, describing the efforts as critical in curbing violent criminal activities.

Despite Kano’s relative peace, the governor acknowledged that the state still faces threats such as banditry, seasonal farmers-herders clashes, cyberbullying, and the activities of criminal gangs.

He applauded the Kano State Command of the DSS for working closely with other security agencies to contain emerging threats.

Declaring the conference open, Yusuf assured security agencies of his administration’s continued support.

“I trust that your deliberations will yield fresh ideas to safeguard our people and promote the socio-economic development of the State,” he added.

Speaking earlier, the Director of the DSS in Kano, Hussein Abubakar, emphasized the importance of intelligence-driven operations and inter-agency cooperation in addressing insecurity across the North-West.

According to him, the conference aligns with the vision of the Director General of the DSS, Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, to strengthen regional intelligence sharing and operational synergy.

Abubakar identified major threats confronting the region to include banditry, kidnapping, illegal arms trafficking, cyberbullying, illegal mining, sabotage of national assets, and hate campaigns.

“The task of containing these threats is not negotiable,” he said, adding that the DSS remains committed to gathering and sharing actionable intelligence with sister security agencies.

He explained that the Service also engages in tactical operations aimed at complementing other law enforcement agencies while protecting Nigeria’s democracy through strategic intelligence.

Also speaking, Director General Special Services Kano, retired Major General Muhammad Sani, said insecurity in the North-West continues to threaten social stability and economic growth, calling for stronger collaboration between state and federal authorities.

Similarly, Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Lawal Mani, said the conference serves as a renewed call for synergy among security agencies.

He noted that ongoing collaboration among agencies has already produced positive results in intelligence gathering and crime fighting across the state.