Sokoto Aide Advocates North-West Unity Against Banditry

Col. Ahmed Usman (retd.), the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Sokoto State Governor, commended the Zamfara State Government for establishing a 13-member Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) Peace and Security Committee, inaugurated on Monday at the Government House in Gusau by Deputy Governor Malam Mani Malam Mummuni on behalf of Governor Dauda Lawal. Usman stated that the initiative is a significant step towards achieving lasting peace in the North-West, combining military operations with rehabilitation and reintegration to address the root causes of banditry.

He emphasized that military action alone is insufficient and called for a coordinated approach that includes community engagement and justice. Usman welcomed the involvement of federal institutions for technical and legal support to ensure the program's credibility.

He also acknowledged the experience of an Inter-Mediate delegation in peacebuilding, which could provide valuable lessons for the region. Usman stressed that successful reintegration must be community-based and subject to stringent screening.