Ribadu Advocates Intelligence and Community Action Against Banditry

Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, stated that military operations alone cannot effectively end banditry, which has evolved to include territorial control and illegal taxation. Speaking through Zakari Mijinyawa, the Director of Legal Services in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Ribadu addressed a brainstorming session on banditry organized by the Sokoto Advancement Forum and the Centre for Peace Studies at Usmanu Danfodiyo University.

He highlighted the cross-border dimension of the crisis due to Sokoto's proximity to Niger Republic and the Sahel, urging for stronger intelligence-led operations, effective border management, and community trust. Ribadu outlined five priority areas for improving security in Sokoto, including denying armed groups safe havens and preventing youth recruitment into criminal networks.

He warned that insecurity disrupts farming, commerce, and education, and emphasized that success should be measured by the restoration of safer communities and livelihoods, not just by arrests or territory cleared.