Nuhu Ribadu outlines multi-faceted plan to combat Sokoto banditry

National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu has outlined a multi-faceted strategy to combat banditry in Sokoto State, emphasizing that military operations alone are insufficient to resolve the crisis. Speaking at a brainstorming session organized by the Sokoto Advancement Forum and Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Ribadu noted that criminal activities have evolved from cattle rustling and kidnapping to include territorial control and the illegal taxation of rural communities.

The proposed plan focuses on five priority areas: denying armed groups safe havens, strengthening intelligence and early-warning systems, building community trust, protecting rural livelihoods and agriculture, and preventing the recruitment of youth into criminal networks. Ribadu highlighted the cross-border dimension of the conflict, noting that Sokoto’s proximity to the Republic of Niger and the wider Sahel region allows armed groups to exploit porous borders.

To address these challenges, the government aims to combine intelligence-led operations with improved border management, regional cooperation, and stricter controls on the supply of illicit weapons. Additionally, Ribadu called for addressing the socioeconomic conditions that drive recruitment and suggested lawful rehabilitation programs for individuals willing to abandon violence, while stressing that “reintegration must never replace justice or reward violence.”