Former Minister of Interior and ex-Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (rtd), has warned that insecurity in northern Nigeria has deteriorated to a level where bandits and insurgents now control some communities, impose taxes, and even make local laws.
Dambazau made the remarks at the First Media and Security Summit held in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, with the theme “Existential Threats and National Security.” The summit explored the worsening security challenges that have gripped the North over the past two decades.
“People were killed in mosques in Katsina, Borno, Zamfara and Kano. The North has suffered from herders-farmers clashes, terrorism, and banditry,” Dambazau lamented.
“We have reached a situation where bandits and insurgents have taken control of some of our communities, taxing and making laws for them. Thousands have been killed, millions displaced, and many farmers have lost their livelihoods while herders’ cattle are being rustled without action from state actors.”
The retired general urged northern governors to establish Ministries of Mineral Resources in their states to work with federal agencies in harnessing natural resources, boosting revenue, and addressing poverty — which he described as a major driver of insecurity.
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He also called for reviving agriculture, strengthening traditional institutions, addressing the crisis of out-of-school children, and promoting social inclusion to tackle the root causes of instability.
“Over 70 percent of those suffering from poverty caused by insecurity are from the North,” Dambazau said. “Religious extremism has become a major threat, with groups like Boko Haram, the Lakurawa terrorists, and bandits unleashing violence on innocent people.”
Speaking at the same event, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, emphasised that restoring peace requires unity and collective responsibility.
“We need to come together to talk with each other on how to solve this problem,” the Sultan said. “We were not like this before — Nigeria was not what it is today. The only way forward is understanding, unity, and implementation of agreed actions.”
Also addressing the summit, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule highlighted the need to confront the root causes of insecurity in the North West, including climate change, poverty, and weak governance, while Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris described the meeting as a crucial platform for leaders to chart practical solutions.
The summit ended with a renewed call for collaboration among federal, state, and traditional leaders to reclaim affected communities and restore lasting peace in northern Nigeria.