The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara State has called on prominent Northern leaders, political stakeholders, traditional institutions, and regional influencers to urgently establish a unified Northern security committee aimed at tackling the unrelenting wave of banditry and criminal activities threatening the region. The party made this appeal against the backdrop of rising insecurity across the North-West and neighbouring zones, where communities continue to face devastating attacks, killings, abductions, and destruction of property.
The call was made on Friday in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, by the PDP Publicity Secretary, Haliru Andi. He emphasized that the region can no longer depend solely on fragmented, state-level security responses when the problem has evolved into a large-scale crisis that cuts across state boundaries. According to him, a regional and collective approach remains the most effective strategy to curb the deteriorating situation.
Andi noted that the party believes the proposed security committee should be spearheaded by Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal. His recommendation follows Governor Lawal’s recent presentation at the joint meeting of the Northern Governors’ Forum and the Northern Council of Emirs, held in Kaduna. During the meeting, Governor Lawal presented a detailed position paper outlining the need for coordinated and intelligence-driven security strategies across the Northern states.
According to Andi, the PDP sees Governor Lawal as a credible and experienced leader whose approach to tackling insecurity in Zamfara has drawn national attention. He stated that the governor has consistently taken bold steps, both operationally and administratively, to combat banditry in the state, despite the challenges created by years of mismanagement and policy inconsistencies in the fight against criminal elements. The party insists that these efforts demonstrate his readiness to take on the leadership of a broader and more influential regional body.
The proposed committee, according to the PDP, would serve as a platform bringing together all relevant actors from across the North, including state governors, traditional rulers, youth organizations, women groups, civil society organizations, and top security professionals. The aim is to create a unified roadmap that addresses the root causes of banditry while also harmonizing the security tactics deployed across different states. The committee would also be expected to recommend long-term solutions, including community-based surveillance, intelligence sharing, joint security operations, and economic interventions needed to reduce criminal activities.
Andi stressed that Northern Nigeria has for years struggled under the weight of severe insecurity. He pointed out that banditry has evolved from isolated attacks into a complex web of criminal networks operating across forests, villages, highways, and borders. Hundreds of communities in Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, and parts of the North-Central have suffered repeated attacks, with many residents displaced, farmlands abandoned, and local economies destroyed. According to him, this situation requires more than individual state efforts—it demands a coordinated, region-wide approach.
He also highlighted that Northern security challenges have continued to destabilize livelihoods, weaken local economies, and restrict access to critical services such as education and healthcare. The constant threat of bandit attacks has forced farmers to abandon their fields, displaced thousands, and created pervasive fear across numerous communities. These conditions, Andi observed, cannot be effectively addressed without collective intervention from leaders who understand the socio-political dynamics of the region.
The PDP spokesman further stated that the involvement of traditional rulers is necessary, given their deep-rooted influence in local communities. These leaders, he noted, are well-positioned to assist in intelligence gathering, conflict mediation, and community mobilization. Additionally, the committee’s inclusion of civil society organizations would help ensure transparency, accountability, and effective public participation in the security planning process.
Andi expressed confidence that under Governor Lawal’s leadership, the committee would be capable of outlining a new direction for the North—one that prioritizes safety, socio-economic development, and sustainable peace. He noted that the governor’s commitment to addressing insecurity has already been demonstrated through strategic reforms in Zamfara, including strengthening local security structures, supporting federal security agencies, and initiating partnerships aimed at restoring confidence in affected communities.
He argued that Governor Lawal’s track record makes him “a suitable and strategic choice for leading a regional security initiative that requires courage, competence, and a deep understanding of the challenges facing the North.”
Residents of Zamfara and other Northern states have reacted to the call, with many describing it as long overdue. They believe that insecurity in the region has surpassed what individual states can manage alone. Community leaders, civil society groups, and youth organizations have also welcomed the proposal, stating that a unified regional body could finally bring consistency to security operations and help reduce the frequency of attacks.
Analysts have also weighed in on the matter, noting that a coordinated regional approach could help reduce duplication of efforts and close the operational gaps that criminals often exploit. Many believe that joint operations, better intelligence sharing, and structured collaboration could create an environment that would deprive bandits of the movement and coordination they currently enjoy.
They also emphasized that Governor Lawal’s analytical perspective on the issue, as presented in Kaduna, demonstrates an understanding that insecurity in the North cannot be solved by force alone. Instead, a combined strategy that includes security reforms, economic empowerment, education, and community involvement remains essential.
The PDP reiterated that now is the time for Northern leaders to rise above political divides and come together to secure the future of the region. Andi urged them to heed the call for unity and collective action, warning that failure to act decisively could worsen an already volatile situation.
As insecurity continues to threaten the social and economic stability of the region, the party believes that forming a Northern security committee could be a major step toward restoring peace and rebuilding communities devastated by years of criminal activities.
More updates on the proposed initiative are expected as discussions continue among Northern power blocs, government institutions, and civil society actors.
