Multi-Billion Dollar Stakeholders Join Forces to End Banditry in North West Nigeria

A Crisis Born of Insecurity and Poverty

In Northern Nigeria, particularly in the states of Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kano, Jigawa, and parts of Niger, banditry has emerged as a severe security threat. This crisis stems from the aftermath of the Boko Haram insurgency, which has left the region in socio-economic turmoil. The vacuum created by the insurgency allowed bandit groups to proliferate, exploiting the instability for their gain. The underlying economic drivers, including poverty, unemployment, and lack of government presence, have further created a fertile ground for criminal activity to flourish.

A Lucrative Criminal Enterprise

Recent videos on social media showcase how these bandits have turned their operations into a lucrative business, involving arms trading, food supplies, and ransom collections.

This network has enabled banditry to spread its roots across the Northwest region, yielding substantial profits for those involved. Banditry in Northern Nigeria has evolved into a lucrative criminal enterprise, generating staggering annual revenues. Estimates suggest that this illicit industry yields over N100 billion (approximately $250 million USD) annually from ransom payments alone. However, some reports indicate that the total value of banditry-related activities, including cattle rustling, illegal mining, and smuggling, falls between N200 billion and N500 billion (approximately $500 million to $1.25 billion USD) annually. More alarming estimates even suggest that the full scope of banditry-related criminal enterprises could reach as high as N1 trillion.

According to a report by SB Morgan Intelligence, the financial worth of banditry in Northern Nigeria is substantial. In the North-west states, bandits extorted approximately N224.92 million from farmers between November 2020 and November 2023. In Kaduna, farmers have been coerced into paying between N70,000 and N100,000 for the privilege of farming. Similarly, rice farmers in Zamfara have been forced to pay around N120,000 in farm levies to bandits, while guinea corn farmers have had to pay N50,000. These figures underscore the immense financial scale of this criminal activity and illustrate the significant financial toll of banditry on the region’s agricultural sector, highlighting the need for concerted efforts to disrupt and dismantle the economic engine driving banditry in the region.

Government’s Commitment to Action

In response to this escalating threat, the government has acknowledged the need for decisive action. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has unequivocally declared his administration’s commitment to eradicating banditry, terrorism, and other forms of insecurity. To achieve this objective, the government has implemented a multifaceted approach that combines kinetic and non-kinetic interventions. The Pulaku resettlement initiative, aimed at addressing the root causes of disputes and insecurity in the Northwest, is a notable example of the government’s non-kinetic strategy. Additionally, efforts to enhance the capacity of national security forces, improve intelligence gathering networks, and promote community policing are underway.

Northwest Peace and Security Summit

Last Monday, the Northwest Peace and Security Summit was held in Katsina State, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima), Governor Umaru Radda, Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru, and other officials in attendance. Germany’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Günther, who was represented at the event, congratulated the federal and state governments for organizing the Summit. She assured the support of the German government for Nigeria in the fight against insecurity, emphasizing the need to reactivate traditional solutions to the conflict in the Northwest. The UNDP Country Representative to Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah, called for investment in the youth to channel their potential towards profitable ventures, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation.

The Summit was also attended by the immediate past President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari; Governors Umar Namadi of Jigawa State, Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State, and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, as well as the Deputy Governors of Kaduna, Kebbi, and Kano States. Federal lawmakers from the region, former Governors of Katsina State Aminu Masari and Ibrahim Shema, Minister of Arts and Creative Economy Barrister Hannatu Musawa, the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Ambassador Ahmed Rufa’i Abubakar, Emir of Daura HRH Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar, Emir of Katsina HRH Abdulmumuni Kabir Usman, representatives of other security chiefs, and members of the Diplomatic Corps were also present.

The summit was convened to address the escalating security challenges in the Northwest region, particularly banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping. President Tinubu declared that his administration will not rest until insecurity is eliminated, announcing kinetic and non-kinetic interventions, including the Pulaku resettlement initiative. He emphasized the need for regional cooperation and unity. “We promised to make Nigeria safer, and this aim has been our topmost priority since we came to office over a year ago. We must also reverse the institutional frailties governing security and the economic dysfunctions that create vulnerabilities to crime,” Tinubu said.

Governor Radda, Chairman of the Northwest Governors’ Forum, called for a multifaceted approach, including intelligence gathering and community policing. “To effectively combat banditry, we need to strengthen intelligence gathering networks. This means improving our surveillance system, investing in modern technology such as drones and satellite imagery, and enhancing coordination among our security agencies,” he said. Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru stressed the need for synergy between security agencies and state governors. According to him, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, under the current administration of President Tinubu, are committed to ending armed conflicts in Nigeria. “The need for synergy between security agencies and state governors cannot be overemphasized, and we will continue to work together to achieve our common goal of securing our nation,” Badaru said.

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara highlighted that women are key to mindset transformation, noting their involvement is vital for community-based solutions. “By empowering women, we are not only improving security but also building a more just and equitable society,” he said. The summit also featured panel discussions on kinetic and non-kinetic strategies, with Minister Hannatu Musawa highlighting the role of cultural integration in promoting peace and security. “Let us harness the potential of cultural and creative industries to create jobs and provide viable opportunities for our youth. By doing so, we can empower them to become agents of positive change and provide a sustainable alternative to the cycle of conflict,” Musawa added.

Other panelists included the Hon. Minister of Youth Jamila Bio, Maj. Gen. Adamu Garba Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Chris Ngwodu, Director General, Office of Strategic Preparedness and Resilience, and Hamza Idris, Editor of Nigeria’s Daily Trust Newspapers. They discussed the importance of non-kinetic solutions, job creation, and addressing the root causes of conflict. Hamza Idris emphasized the need to compensate victims of cattle rustling and use kinetic strategies to decimate criminality. “The Northwest governors must look for that young man we all call a bandit, whose cattle and those of his parents and grandparents have been rustled. We must compensate and give them back their cattle and then convert all the so-called ungovernable spaces we have in the states to grazing areas,” Idris said. The summit announced the formation of a committee to produce a report and action plan within two weeks to address security challenges.

The committee will include members from each state and the UN system. The role of traditional institutions and local communities in combating banditry in Northern Nigeria was prominently discussed during the Northwest Peace and Security Summit.

Sultan Speaks

The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, emphasized the indispensable involvement of traditional rulers and community members in the fight against insecurity. He noted that it will take Nigeria decades to end banditry in the north, stressing that the cooperation of local leaders and citizens is vital for any security measures to be effective. The Sultan underscored the historical and cultural significance of these institutions in maintaining order and resolving conflicts. “What we must do is to challenge these bandits because we all know the consequences of banditry and insurgency on our lives. But it will take decades to get out of it if at all we get out of it. We all know the consequences and the problems,” he said.

Religious leaders and local youth were also highlighted as crucial agents in peacebuilding efforts. The Sultan, who doubles as the president-general of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), called on religious figures to leverage their influence to foster peace and encourage reconciliation among conflicting parties. Meanwhile, the youth, who often bear the brunt of economic vulnerabilities and are susceptible to recruitment by bandits, were seen as essential partners in security initiatives. Programs aimed at engaging young people in productive ventures and providing them with opportunities were discussed as part of a broader strategy to mitigate the allure of banditry.

Persistent challenges such as inadequate intelligence gathering, poor surveillance, and deep-seated economic issues like cattle rustling were acknowledged as significant hurdles. Improved surveillance systems and better coordination among security agencies were deemed necessary to address these issues effectively. The summit emphasized the need to tackle the root causes of banditry, including economic disparities. The integration of kinetic and non-kinetic strategies, such as the Pulaku resettlement project, which aims to build infrastructure and provide essential services in affected areas, were seen as pivotal in addressing the socio-economic root causes of banditry.

Working Together for a Secure Future

The unified approach of governors, traditional rulers, community members, and international partners is seen as the key to overcoming the challenges posed by banditry and ensuring a secure and prosperous future for the Northwest region of Nigeria.