The preamble to the Constitution of the United Nations Economic, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) reads: “Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed.” Therefore, it is not a futile saying that conventional military approach is not a solution to the guerrilla war by dissident elements in Zamfara. This is can be confirmed by the over 16 years experience of Boko Haram terrorism, without a complete result of success recorded.

Similarly, during the recentWorld Economic Forum (WEF) on the Middle East and North Africa,President Muhamadu Buharireiterated the fact that lack of social and economic inclusion is the main reason why Nigeria as a country and Africa as a continent are at this level of economic and social quagmire. The case of Nigeria is no doubt peculiar as the nation continues to battle ways to solve its internal and external conflicts. The situation in Zamfara State – which the media has described as banditry even though what is being experienced is beyond the word - has become a nightmare.

Despite the over 19 years of the current democratic governance in Nigeria, it is very clear that the presence of government is minimal, or absent from citizens, especially at the grassroots. This has, therefore, led to distrust, increase in violent extremism (resistance), which has destroyed Nigeria’s social fabric. Worthy of note is the recurrence of civil criminal activities in resource areas. In the Niger Delta region, incidence of kidnappings and killings degenerated from bad to worse in the last 14 years, as it is prevalent in Zamfara today.The absence of synergy between security agencies as well as the drive for supremacy is a leading factor to several failures of security interventions on bandits.

Another major loophole was also captured by the President when he said:“In this digital age where physical borders no longer exist to protect even the most secured nations, the only way to overcome predatory and divisionary forces is for all well-meaning nations to work together for the greater good of mankind.” This, perhaps, explains the importance of the above statement on absence of synergy among security agencies. Cooperation rather than competition among security agencies is no longer a choice, but an absolute necessity.

Therefore, it is imperative for the newly-elected government to be very visible in every part of Zamfara State, delivering dividends of democracy to citizens down to the grassroots, so as to eradicate current public perspective of being reduced to paupers in a land flowing with milk and honey.The assets and endowments in Zamfara should lead to high-level of economic growth, rather than becoming a resource curse.

Full military engagement is usually not void of violations of fundamental human rights, collateral damage on innocent citizens, mostly on women and children who are most vulnerable. Therefore, intelligence-gathering should be affianced by security agencies before any engagement in military attacks.

Building trust in citizens by ensuring their voices are heard, by providing basic amenities such as potable water, accessible health system, power, among others, will help eradicate negative belief system that the government does not put them to heart. Civil engagement to provide a win-win approach is very important in other to have a sustainable solution on the issues of banditry in Zamfara State.

•Oluwaseyi is Programme Officer with YIAGA Africa