Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf wants better intelligence sharing across the North-West region. He's concerned that instability in neighbouring states threatens Kano's relative peace.
Yusuf opened the North-West Zonal Directors Conference of the Department of State Services on Thursday in Kano. Security chiefs from seven states attended the gathering.
The conference brought together officials from Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara. Yusuf called it essential for fighting banditry, arms smuggling, kidnapping and cyber-crimes.
Kano's position as the North-West's most populous state makes it vulnerable. Criminal networks can easily shift operations from troubled neighbouring areas, he warned.
Intelligence-driven operations and inter-agency teamwork are critical, according to the governor. Without them, organised criminals gain stronger footholds in Kano.
He highlighted the recent rescue of Kibiya Local Government Area's secretary, Alhaji Hamza Musa Durba. Quick intelligence work freed him from kidnappers.
"Our security and intelligence agencies deserve absolute commendation," Yusuf told delegates. He praised their swift response to the abduction.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and DSS Director-General Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi deserve credit too. Both have backed national security efforts with resources and commitment.
Yusuf commended DSS operatives for intercepting illegal weapons across the region. Those operations disrupted violent criminal activity significantly.
Still, Kano faces real security problems, he admitted. Farmers-herders clashes, cyberbullying, youth violence and gang activity persist.
His administration will keep backing security agencies, Yusuf promised. He expects the conference to produce new strategies for regional safety.
Hussein Abubakar, Kano's DSS director, stressed stronger cooperation among security outfits. Evolving threats demand coordinated responses across the North-West.
Abubakar noted the conference aligns with DSS leadership's vision for regional cooperation. Intelligence sharing among zone commands will improve, he said.
Banditry remains a major concern across the region. So do illegal arms trafficking, national asset sabotage, illegal mining and cyber-attacks.
Hate campaigns online also threaten national unity, Abubakar warned. "Containing these threats is non-negotiable," he told the conference.
DSS will keep gathering and sharing actionable intelligence with other agencies. Tactical operations complement law enforcement work, he noted.
Protecting Nigeria's democracy and stability remains the Service's constitutional duty. DSS operatives across the North-West take this seriously.
Retired Major General Muhammad Sani, Kano's Director-General of Special Services, also addressed delegates. He detailed how insecurity continues undermining the North-West's progress.
