Speaking at the public presentation of the book Where I Stand by the late Sheikh Abubakar Mahmud Gumi, organized by Jama’atu Izalatul Bid’ah Wa ‘Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), Governor Sani, who represented President Bola Tinubu as Special Guest of Honour and served as Chief Host, emphasized that leaders must take responsibility for addressing these underlying issues. 

The event marked the Arabic translation of the book by Sheikh Ibrahim Jalo Jalingo.Sani contrasted the North-West’s banditry-driven insecurity with the ideological insurgency of Boko Haram in the North-East, stating that the former stems from neglect and economic deprivation. 

“Insecurity can’t be resolved solely through the use of firearms,” he declared, dismissing politically motivated claims to the contrary. “We must fear God, and stop deceiving the people because that approach will not work.”

Highlighting Nigeria’s security manpower shortages, the governor noted, “In 1970, after the civil war, Nigeria had about 300,000 soldiers, but today they are less than 250,000, while our population has increased by over 100 million. How then can anyone say that guns alone will solve the problem? It is impossible.” 

He pointed to vast ungoverned spaces in the region, saying, “If you travel to Zamfara, Birnin Gwari, or the forests of Katsina, you can go for about 50 kilometres without meeting a single policeman, not to talk of a soldier.”

Governor Sani urged governors not to shift blame to federal authorities, including President Tinubu or National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. 

“We should not deceive our people by saying President Tinubu or National Security Adviser Ribadu is responsible. We should not expect them to go to Giwa, Birnin Gwari or the Dansadau forest to solve the problem for us,” he said. 

“We were elected by the people, and it is our duty to do everything possible to protect our people.”

The governor advocated for a non-kinetic approach to security, detailing Kaduna’s Peace Model, which involves traditional and religious leaders and community-driven initiatives. 

He cited the successful intervention in Birnin Gwari, led by the Emir, which took six months to identify root causes after consultations with affected communities. 

“I decided to embark on the non-kinetic approach to address insecurity in Kaduna State because it’s to me that God will hold responsibility in the hereafter,” Sani explained.

Criticizing opposition figures for politicizing the issue by suggesting bandits could be “carpet-bombed” into submission, Sani called for collective action to build schools, hospitals, and commerce in underserved areas to combat crime at its source.