Lakurawa: FG Unveils Five-Point Strategy To Tackle Banditry In Sokoto

The Federal Government has unveiled a five-point strategy to combat banditry, terrorism and illicit arms trafficking in Sokoto State, as troops of Operation Fansan Yamma reportedly overran a Lakurawa terrorist enclave in the state.

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, disclosed the measures at a security brainstorming session organised by the Sokoto Advancement Forum in collaboration with the Centre for Peace Studies, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

Ribadu, who was represented by the Director of Legal Services in the Office of the NSA, Zakari Usman Mijinyawa, identified intelligence-led operations, inter-agency and cross-border cooperation, community trust and early-warning systems, restoration of agricultural livelihoods, and prevention of criminal recruitment as the key priorities.

He said the administration of President Bola Tinubu was intensifying efforts to address insecurity through coordinated military operations, improved intelligence gathering, strengthened border security and effective law enforcement.

According to him, the National Crisis Management Doctrine being promoted by the Office of the NSA provides a framework for coordinated action by government institutions, security agencies and communities against emerging security threats.

On intelligence-led operations, Ribadu called for sustained security deployments around vulnerable settlements, forest corridors and border communities to deny criminal groups safe havens and prevent further attacks.

He identified State Forest Guards and Agro-Rangers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as important partners in securing vulnerable areas and supporting conventional security forces.

The NSA also emphasised the need for stronger intelligence-sharing mechanisms across national borders, noting that cooperation among the armed forces, intelligence agencies, police and civil defence personnel was crucial to dismantling criminal networks.

He further advocated effective early-warning systems that would connect local governments, traditional rulers and residents of vulnerable communities to enable security agencies to respond promptly to potential threats.

Ribadu specifically identified Sabon Birni, Isa, Tangaza and Goronyo as areas where improved community-based intelligence and early-warning mechanisms were particularly important.

The Federal Government, he said, was also prioritising the restoration of agricultural livelihoods in affected communities and measures to prevent vulnerable individuals, particularly young people, from being recruited into criminal groups.

The five-point strategy is aimed at strengthening security operations while addressing the underlying factors that sustain banditry and terrorism in Sokoto State and other affected parts of the country.