Hope rises as the North-West Peace and Security Summit begins today

The North-West Governors’ Forum, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will begin the two-day Peace and Security Summit in Katsina State today.

The historic event, hosted by the Katsina State Government with media support from the Media Trust Group, owners of Daily Trust newspapers, Trust TV, Trust Radio, Digital Trust, and Aminiya, will bring together governors from the region, federal institutions, diplomats, and development partners to brainstorm on the pressing security challenges plaguing the area.

The summit comes at a pivotal time for the northwest region, which has been grappling with escalating security issues, particularly banditry, which have had, and still have, devastating effects on local communities.  The insecurity has led to significant loss of life and property and severe disruption of livelihoods, hence the need for coordinated action to restore peace and stability in the area.

Under the theme “Regional Cooperation for Securing Lives and Livelihoods,” the summit will focus on exploring solutions to current insecurity, promoting peace and stability, strengthening cooperation among state governments, and mobilising adequate support from the federal government to address the issues.

The UNDP’s involvement in this summit is significant. The multinational organisation could bring its global expertise and resources to bear, fostering trust, ensuring comprehensive and sustainable development, and mobilising global support. Their participation enhances the credibility and effectiveness of the summit, contributing significantly to the quest for lasting peace and security in the Northwest region.

 

Vertical and horizontal integration in fighting insecurity

A governor in his state is theoretically the Chief Security Officer. However, as the former Katsina State governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari often described the situation; the governors are merely Chief Logistics Officers. The security agencies fighting insecurity happily accept the “logistics support”, but when taking orders, they look up to their “Oga at the top”, leaving the governor sometimes utterly helpless. Experts have said that if the governors cannot take control of the security of their states, then there is a need for effective vertical integration.

In contemporary security strategies, experts say vertical and horizontal integration play pivotal roles in effectively addressing and mitigating threats. This integration enhances coordination, information sharing, and resource optimisation, strengthening the overall security apparatus.

Vertical integration in security refers to the seamless coordination and collaboration across different levels of government and agencies, from local law enforcement to national security bodies. This hierarchical alignment is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, efficient resource allocation. Vertical integration ensures that resources, including intelligence, funding, and manpower, are distributed effectively from higher to lower levels. This is essential in ensuring that local agencies are well-equipped to handle threats with the support of national resources. For instance, the newly established state security outfits, such as the Katsina Community Watch Corps (CWC), Zamfara State Community Protection Guard (CPG) and Sokoto State Community Guard Corps (CGC), may have better knowledge of the terrain and more access to information in the communities they serve but lack adequate training and equipment; hence active synergy between the two levels will yield higher positive outcomes.

Secondly, consistent Policy Implementation. Vertical integration helps maintain a consistent and cohesive approach to security by aligning local, regional, and national security policies. This prevents the fragmentation of efforts and ensures that all agencies work towards common goals. Many observers are of the opinion that the lack of coordinated approach in policies and operations in the North-west hampers security operations in the region. For example, when bandits come under military offensive in Zamfara, they could easily move to either Kaduna, Sokoto or Katsina for safety, depending on where they were, likewise in any other state.

Thirdly, enhanced Intelligence Sharing. Effective vertical integration facilitates the flow of critical information up and down the chain of command. Local agencies can provide ground-level intelligence to national bodies, then analyse and disseminate actionable insights down the hierarchy.

Horizontal integration, on the other hand, focuses on the collaboration between agencies operating at the same level, such as various local law enforcement departments, or between states in a regional security arrangement. This form of integration is equally vital for the following reasons: One: Comprehensive Coverage. Horizontal integration ensures that different agencies with unique capabilities and jurisdictions work together, providing a more comprehensive coverage of potential threats. This is, especially important in combating trans-border threats. In this case, the North-west states as well as Niger State have a lot to gain from each other through such collaboration.

Two: Specialised Expertise. Different agencies often have specialised skills and knowledge. By integrating these horizontally, security efforts can leverage this expertise to address specific aspects of complex threats more effectively.

Three: Redundancy and Resilience. Horizontal integration builds redundancy into the security system. If one agency is compromised or overwhelmed, others can step in to provide support, enhancing the resilience of the overall security network.

However, the true strength in combating insecurity lies in vertical and horizontal integration synergy. When this is implemented effectively, there will be a robust, flexible, and adaptive security framework.

 

Socio-economic development as a tool for fighting insecurity

Insecurity and socio-economic under-development are deeply interconnected. Addressing the root causes of insecurity through comprehensive socio-economic development strategies can create a more stable and prosperous society. Here, Kano State is an example. We have seen how the youth in Kano vehemently rejected Boko Haram when it reared its ugly head; they stood against it and fought it tooth and nail. This is because they believed that the buoyancy of their state as a thriving commercial centre depends on its peace. Hence, they rejected any violent ideology that could have disrupted such peace and harmony.

 

Economic opportunities and employment

One of the primary drivers of insecurity is economic deprivation. High unemployment rates, especially among youth, foster conditions where criminal activities become viable alternatives to legitimate employment. By promoting economic development, creating jobs, and fostering entrepreneurship, governments and organisations can provide individuals with stable income sources, reducing the allure of illicit activities.

Only recently, the Katsina State government launched its N5 billion MSMEs development fund. This, in addition to other initiatives of the state government, is aimed at boosting economic activities and reducing indolence amongst the population. Each state of the region has one form of such initiative or the other, but the question is whether or not that is enough to considerably alleviate poverty and enhance socio-economic activities.

 

Education and skills development

Education is a cornerstone of socio-economic development and a crucial tool in the fight against insecurity. Lack of education limits individuals’ opportunities and often leaves them vulnerable to manipulation by extremist groups. By investing in education and skills development, societies can empower their citizens with knowledge and skills, making them more employable and less likely to engage in criminal activities. Unfortunately, the Northwest region has one of the highest out-of-school children statistics and a poor teacher-to-pupil ratio.

Other aspects that need to be adequately looked into include infrastructure development, social inclusion and equity, good governance and accountability as well as community engagement and empowerment, amongst others.

 

States security outfits

As mentioned earlier, states have established their local security outfits to augment the efforts of conventional security agencies. Katsina has Community Watch Corps (CWC), Zamfara State, Community Protection Guard (CPG), and Sokoto State, Community Guard Corps (CGC); other states in the region will follow suit. Kaduna already has the Kaduna State Vigilantes Service (KADVIS). Observers believe that one of the major problems of such outfits is the lack of proper training, not only in the physical aspect of weapons handling but also in the psychology of weapons handling and warfare.

At their present level of training and equipment, their capacity does not extend beyond defending their communities in the event of attacks. However, their capacity could be enhanced with effective vertical integration, and they could perform better working alongside well-armed, well-trained security agents.

This summit will bring together key stakeholders and serve as a platform for meaningful dialogue and action, leading to concrete strategies for enhancing peace and security in the North-west region.