Security directors from the seven states that make up Nigeria’s North‑West convened in Katsina this week to strengthen coordination in the face of an escalating kidnapping and banditry crisis that research indicates is concentrated in the region.
Regional meeting seeks common strategy
The conference, organised by the Department of State Services and held under the banner “Unite Against Terror”, brought together the security chiefs of Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara, Jigawa and Kebbi. Officials used the forum to compare intelligence, identify gaps in operational responses and discuss mechanisms for real‑time information sharing.
Delegates flagged that criminal networks have been exploiting weaknesses where coordination between states and agencies is limited, and urged a shift from isolated state responses to a synchronized, multi‑jurisdictional approach.
"The meeting provided an opportunity for intelligence agencies across the zone to compare information, identify operational gaps and develop a common strategy against terrorism and banditry," the Katsina State Director of Security said.
Toll of abductions concentrated in a few states
Independent research cited at the conference found that between July 2024 and June 2025 there were 2,938 reported kidnappings across the North‑West — representing more than 60% of kidnappings nationally during that period. The study attributed the heaviest toll to a handful of states:
- Zamfara: 1,203 victims
- Kaduna: 629 victims
- Katsina: 566 victims
- Sokoto: 358 victims
| State | Reported kidnappings |
|---|---|
| Zamfara | 1,203 |
| Kaduna | 629 |
| Katsina | 566 |
| Sokoto | 358 |
Those figures were presented as evidence of the scale of the crisis and used to justify proposals for joint training, pooled intelligence assets and more frequent operational collaboration among security agencies in the zone.
Violence beyond kidnappings
Speakers at the conference drew attention to continuing lethal attacks in parts of northern Nigeria in 2026. A separate tally cited at the meeting showed heavy casualties from violent incidents across the country in the opening weeks of the year, including attacks that reportedly killed hundreds in some communities and left dozens abducted.
Conference organisers and state security directors argued that robust intelligence exchange and coordinated operations would make it harder for armed groups to exploit administrative boundaries and conduct cross‑state strikes and abductions.
Proposed measures and next steps
Recommendations emerging from the talks included:
- Establishing mechanisms for near real‑time intelligence exchange between state security units and federal agencies
- Conducting joint training exercises to align tactics and communication protocols
- Developing common operational plans for cross‑border pursuits and rescue operations
Delegates emphasised that implementing these measures would require political will as well as resources, and called for greater inter‑agency trust and institutional support to sustain any new cooperation framework.
Implications for communities
For residents of the North‑West, the proposed shift towards coordinated operations may bring more visible security deployments and joint patrols, but organisers acknowledged that long‑term impact will hinge on improved information flows and follow‑through on planned joint activities.
Until those measures are operationalised, communities in the most affected states remain vulnerable to the tactics used by criminal groups that rely on mobility, local knowledge and exploitation of jurisdictional gaps.
The conference in Katsina marks a step towards regional cooperation, but its success will depend on how quickly proposed intelligence‑sharing systems and joint operations are put into practice.
