*Badaru, Uba Sani, others call for decentralised security approach in North-west

*Porous borders, drug crisis fueling region’s violence, says Kaduna gov

John Shiklam in Kaduna and Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to work tirelessly to address the root causes of insecurity bedevilling the country.
Tinubu said this yesterday at the passing-out parade of 1,187 cadets newly commissioned as Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP) at the Nigerian Police Academy, Wudil, in Kano State.
This is just as Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, and other leaders of the North-west renewed the call for a decentralised security architecture to confront the worsening insecurity in the region.
The governor blamed Nigeria’s poorly secured border corridors for the rising violence across the North-west, warning that the region has become the ultimate test of the country’s commitment to protect its citizens.

Meanwhile, President Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, told the police officers that the nation had entrusted its security to them and expected them to serve selflessly and be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for the country if the need arose.

He restated his determination to strengthen the nation’s security architecture through sustained investment in modern equipment, enhanced training, and improved logistics for the Nigeria Police and other security agencies.
Tinubu added that the administration expects every officer to treat Nigerians with respect, uphold the rule of law, and conduct themselves with exemplary conduct at all times. Reassuring the cadets of government support, President Tinubu emphasized that “Your welfare and professional development shall remain a priority of the Federal Government.”
According to him, the government’s approach to security extends beyond equipping agencies and includes tackling the socio-economic drivers of crime.

He noted that the administration is promoting economic growth, social cohesion, and inclusive development to address the underlying causes of insecurity.
He commended the police academy for providing world-class training and education that empowers the officers to serve with integrity, courage, and compassion.
According to him, “We will work tirelessly to address the root causes of insecurity and promote economic development, social cohesion, and inclusivity.

“Our administration is committed to supporting the Nigeria Police Academy, the police, and other security agencies with the resources, training, and equipment they need to excel.
“I am impressed by the progress made by the Academy since its establishment. The infrastructure and training quality have improved significantly.

“The Nigeria Police Academy has risen to this challenge, providing world-class training and education that empowers our officers to serve with integrity, courage, and compassion.
“As we stand at the threshold of a new era, it is imperative that our police force is equipped with the skills, knowledge, and values necessary to tackle the complex challenges of our future and our time.
“To our passing off cadets, as you embark on this noble journey, remember that you are not just enforcers of the law, you are guardians of our collective security and well-being. Your role is pivotal in maintaining peace, stability, and trust in our communities.

Earlier, the Commandant of the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, AIG Patrick Atayero, urged the officers to remain committed to the values of discipline, integrity, and service instilled in them during training.
“Remember that you are not just officers; you are guardians of peace, protectors of the innocent, and defenders of justice. As you prepare to step out into the field of service, always remember the sacred trust that has been placed upon your shoulders,” he added.

Badaru, Uba Sani, Others Call for Decentralised Security Approach in North-west
Meanwhile, at the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on National Security Summit held yesterday in Kaduna for the North-west Zone, Governor Sani Badaru and other North-west leaders called for a decentralized approach in tackling insecurity in the region.
The summit, themed “Building Robust Regional Collaboration to Tackle Insecurity: Pathways for Securing the Future,” brought together senators, governors, traditional rulers, academics, and security experts to review the escalating threats of banditry, kidnappings, and cross-border criminality in the zone.

Governor Sani, who blamed Nigeria’s poorly secured border corridors for the rising violence across the North-west, pushed for the establishment of a North-west Theatre Command to unify all military and security operations under a single operational structure.

According to him, outlaws, traffickers and smugglers “move across this border with astonishing ease, retreating into neighbouring territories when under threat.”
He said the same networks facilitate the movement of illegal arms, drugs, and contraband into the country, worsening the security situation.

Sani noted that the proliferation of small arms, “estimated in the tens of millions,” has amplified the scale and lethality of violence across the region.
The governor also described an escalating drug crisis, referencing recent operations by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) that uncovered significant quantities of hard drugs. He explained that drug trafficking has become a primary revenue source for vandals and kidnappers. In contrast, widespread drug abuse among young people fuels recruitment into armed groups that use narcotics “to manipulate, embolden, or enslave them.”
Sani warned that the link between drug money and addiction has further eroded Nigeria’s social fabric, particularly in communities already weakened by conflict.

He added a strong push for State Police, saying the national mood had finally aligned with what he had championed years earlier.

“Many states already rely on vigilante services – Sokoto, Katsina, Kano, and others, but they remain ineffective because the law forbids them from carrying the weapons needed for self-protection. Sending them out unarmed amounts to a death sentence.”

He insisted that State Police must be built on safeguards that prevent political abuse and preserve professionalism.

The central component should be the creation of a North-west Theatre Command, bringing the Army’s 1 Division and F Division under a unified structure.”

He also proposed permanent security committees at state and local government levels comprising traditional rulers, religious leaders, women’s groups, youth organisations, civil society, and security agencies.

On his part, Badaru stressed that the government was committed to a whole-of-society approach, warning that Nigeria cannot rely solely on military solutions.

The summit resolved to establish a regional security collaboration mechanism for the North-west as part of broader national efforts to stabilise the country and entrench sustainable development.

Earlier, Chairman of the Organising Committee, Senator Babangida Hussaini, noted that the North-west’s security problems, from banditry and kidnappings to ransom-driven exploitation and humanitarian displacement, required a holistic and region-specific intervention.

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