Lakurawa: FG unveils five-point strategy to tackle banditry in Sokoto
The federal government has unveiled a five-point strategy to tackle banditry, terrorism and illicit arms trafficking in Sokoto State, as troops of Operation Fansan Yamma overran a Lakurawa terrorist enclave in the state.
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, disclosed the strategy at a security brainstorming session organised by the Sokoto Advancement Forum in collaboration with the Centre for Peace Studies, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
Ribadu, 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 five priorities.
He said the administration of President Bola Tinubu was strengthening military operations, intelligence gathering, border security and law enforcement through coordinated efforts involving security agencies, state governments and local communities.
According to him, the National Crisis Management Doctrine being advanced by the Office of the NSA provides a framework for coordinated government and societal action against security threats.
On intelligence-led operations, Ribadu called for sustained security deployments around vulnerable settlements, forest corridors and border communities.
He identified State Forest Guards and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Agro-Rangers as important partners in securing vulnerable areas.
The NSA also called for stronger intelligence-sharing across national borders to deny criminal groups safe havens and improve cooperation among the armed forces, intelligence agencies, police and civil defence.
He stressed the need for early-warning systems connecting local governments, traditional rulers and residents in vulnerable communities, particularly Sabon Birni, Isa, Tangaza and Goronyo.
