By ABBAS BAMALLI

Directors of Department of State Services (DSS) in Northwest have called for stronger intelligence sharing and operational synergy to defeat terrorism, banditry and other security threats in the region.

The call was made on Wednesday at the Northwest Conference of State Directors of Security (SDS), organised by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Katsina, with the theme: “Unite Against Terror.”

The Katsina State Director of Security, Alhaji Alhassan Iliyasu, said the conference provided an opportunity for intelligence-led agencies to review emerging security challenges and develop coordinated strategies to contain them.

Iliyasu said the conference would enable participants to compare experiences, identify operational gaps and strengthen countermeasures against banditry and related criminal activities across the Northwest.

He said the deliberations would culminate in a communiqué that would serve as an actionable roadmap for security agencies in the region.

According to him, the fight against terrorism requires the participation of all stakeholders, including security agencies, communities, vigilante groups and other relevant actors.

He commended the existing cooperation among security agencies in Katsina, saying the synergy had contributed significantly to the improvement of the security situation in the state.

“Unite Against Terror involves everybody, not only the security agencies, but the entire society,” he said.

The SDS said Katsina’s community-based security response, including the involvement of the Community Watch Corps and vigilante groups, had strengthened frontline efforts against security threats.

He urged residents to uphold their civic responsibility by reporting suspicious movements and activities to security agencies.

Speaking, the Commander, 17 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Ishaya Ibrahim, described the conference theme as timely, saying synergy among security agencies was no longer an advantage but an imperative in confronting evolving and borderless threats.

Ibrahim said while military firepower, manoeuvres and territorial operations were important, actionable intelligence remained critical to ensuring precision and effectiveness in counter-terrorism operations.

He commended the DSS for its human intelligence, surveillance, threat assessments and community networks, which, he said, provided the information required for effective military response.

The commander said terrorists and bandits exploited gaps in information, coordination and trust, urging security agencies to close such gaps through real-time information sharing and joint operational planning.

He called for stronger communication protocols, joint training and mutual support among security agencies.

According to him, security agencies must also win the confidence of communities because the ultimate victory against terrorism would be achieved through a united front between security forces and the people.

In his remarks, Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State, commended the DSS for convening the conference and described the theme as relevant to the security challenges confronting the Northwest.

Radda, represented by his Deputy Governor, Faruk Lawal-Jobe, said the security challenges facing the region were largely interconnected and therefore required a common strategy and sustained collaboration among security agencies.

He said Katsina had recorded significant improvement in its security situation through a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic approaches.

According to him, the state government has supported security agencies while also implementing interventions aimed at addressing the socio-economic conditions of communities affected by banditry.

He said the government had provided free medical services to victims of bandit attacks and strengthened agricultural support through mechanisation, extension services, improved seeds and fertiliser distribution. (NAN)

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