By Atoyebi Nike
Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris has called for deeper collaboration among security experts, analysts, traditional leaders, and the media as part of efforts to end armed banditry in the state and across northern Nigeria.
Speaking on Monday at the Arewa Media Security Summit in Birnin Kebbi, Idris said his administration has invested heavily in security operations, community engagement, and humanitarian programmes, leading to the resettlement of several displaced communities.
The two-day summit, jointly organised by the Arewa Broadcast Media Practitioners Forum and the Kebbi State Government, brought together national security experts to examine the country’s worsening security challenges and propose sustainable solutions.
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd), praised Governor Idris’s inclusive approach, calling it “a model of stakeholder collaboration that should be emulated across Nigeria.”
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar III, who chaired the event, commended the governor’s commitment to peacebuilding and pledged continued support. “This is my third visit to Kebbi in two months, and I will continue to stand by Governor Idris in every effort to restore peace and security,” he said.
Forum Chairman Abdullahi Yelwa said Kebbi was chosen as host because of its effective use of both kinetic and non-kinetic security strategies, as well as its growing reputation for dialogue-driven governance.
Experts scheduled to present papers include former INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega; Maj.-Gen. Kuka Sheka (rtd); media scholar Yahuza Getso; Federal University, Kashere Vice-Chancellor Umar Pate; and former Kaduna Commissioner for Internal Security Samuel Aruwan.
A communique from the summit is expected to provide actionable recommendations for state and federal authorities as they intensify efforts to end insecurity nationwide.
