Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has urged Nigerian politicians to stop exploiting insecurity for political advantage, warning that security challenges require more than brute military strength.
The governor made this known in Kaduna at the public unveiling of Where I Stand, a book authored by the late Islamic scholar Sheikh Abubakar Gumi and translated into Arabic by Sheikh Ibrahim Jalingo. The event, hosted by Jama’atu Izalatul Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah, brought together scholars, traditional rulers, and political figures.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Sani, who also represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said:
“Some people think you can just deploy weapons and the problem will vanish. Whoever says this is simply playing politics. We must fear God and stop deceiving people because insecurity will not end that way.”
He explained that banditry in the North-West differs fundamentally from the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East.
“Banditry is not ideological like Boko Haram. It is a symptom of poverty, youth unemployment, the absence of schools, hospitals, and economic opportunities in rural areas. These are the real issues we must address to end insecurity,” he said.
The governor stressed that Nigeria’s fight against insecurity must focus on tackling root causes through education, healthcare, and employment.
“Insecurity cannot be resolved solely through guns. Our approach must include jobs for our youth, education, and healthcare for rural communities. That is the only way to win lasting peace,” he added.
Governor Sani also highlighted the dwindling number of military personnel.
“In 1970, after the civil war, Nigeria had about 300,000 soldiers. Today, the number is less than 250,000 while our population has increased by over 100 million. How can anyone say guns alone will solve the problem? It is impossible,” he lamented.
He pointed to the absence of security presence across many rural parts of the North-West as a major concern. According to him, one could travel through Zamfara, Birnin Gwari, and Katsina without encountering a single security officer.
Sani further described how the Kaduna Peace Model, which prioritises dialogue and community involvement, has helped calm troubled areas. In Birnin Gwari, for example, traditional rulers took the lead in negotiating peace after months of consultation and study.
He called on state and local leaders not to shift responsibility to the presidency or security chiefs in Abuja.
“We should not deceive our people by saying President Tinubu or the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, is responsible for their safety. They cannot leave Abuja to come to Birnin Gwari, Giwa, or Dansadau to solve our problems,” the governor insisted.
His remarks follow the August 30 attack on opposition parties during a transition committee inauguration in Kaduna, an incident that former governor Nasir El-Rufai denounced as “a dangerous descent into lawlessness.”
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