From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
Stakeholders at the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Conference have expressed divergent views on strategies to address the escalating banditry in Northern Nigeria.
While all speakers at the 2025 Memorial Conference held at Arewa House yesterday in Kaduna acknowledged the severity of the crisis, their proposed solutions highlighted sharp differences in approach.
Barr. Mainasara Umar, the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, called for aggressive military action, including the bombardment of forests harboring bandits. He argued that clearing these hideouts and repurposing the land for agricultural and industrial development would eliminate the criminals’ safe havens and address underlying issues like poverty and unemployment.
“The North is at a crossroads, and so is the entire country.
“We must punish the guilty. Several containers of arms and ammunition have been intercepted over the years, yet no one has been convicted. Burn down the forests that shelter terrorists—Sambisa, Mandara, Rugu, Falgore, and others. Turn them into industrial agricultural zones that will create jobs, reduce hunger, and stimulate economic growth,” Umar said.
Umar also called for a comprehensive audit of security spending over the past two decades, arguing that a lack of transparency has hindered Nigeria’s fight against insecurity.
He advocated for a restructuring of the country’s security architecture, including the creation of specialized bodies such as a National Border Security Police and a National Anti-Terrorism Police.
However, Prof. Abubakar Saddique Mohammed, Director-General of the Centre for Democratic Development Research and Training (CEDDERT), Zaria, cautioned against the militarization of the response to insecurity. He warned that indiscriminate bombardment of forests could lead to ecological destruction, human rights violations, and international repercussions.
“Insecurity stems from systemic failure and leadership inadequacies,” Prof. Mohammed said. “The injustice Sheikh Danfodiyo spoke of is still with us today. Bombarding forests will not solve the problem; it will only create new challenges. We need a balanced approach—a combination of force and dialogue to address the root causes of insecurity.”
Arc. Ahmed Kabir Abdullahi, National President of Gamji Heritage, emphasized the need to draw inspiration from the leadership of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto. He called for collective action and the implementation of pragmatic solutions to address the region’s challenges.
“Essentially, we are at a crossroads,” Abdullahi said. “The security challenges facing the North and the nation as a whole require unity and decisive action.
As Gamji Heritage, we have resolved to compile the recommendations from this conference into a document to guide state and federal governments in their efforts to restore peace.”
Abdullahi noted that while the speakers had different perspectives, they were unanimous in their call for the government to sustain and intensify efforts to combat insecurity.
The conference ended with a resolution to forward the recommendations to relevant authorities, with hopes that they will serve as a blueprint for addressing banditry and restoring stability in Northern Nigeria.
