DSS Directors convene in Kaduna, strategise on tackling North-West insecurity
By Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna
Directors of the Department of State Services (DSS) drawn from the North-West geopolitical zone have converged in Kaduna to deliberate on strategies aimed at addressing the rising insecurity caused by banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes across the region.
The high-level meeting, which began on Thursday at the DSS office complex along Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari Way in Kaduna, brought together State Directors of Security from Kebbi, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States. Representatives from the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, and Plateau States were also in attendance.
Declaring the conference open, the Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, represented by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Sule Shuaibu (SAN), emphasised that intelligence-led collaboration remains the most effective tool for neutralising security threats in the North-West and other parts of the country.
Governor Sani described the DSS as “the invisible backbone of Nigeria’s internal stability,” commending the agency’s critical role in safeguarding democracy and pre-empting threats to national security. He noted that the conference provided an opportunity for reflection, coordination, and strategic renewal among security stakeholders.
According to him, Kaduna State has consistently prioritised intelligence-driven security management, working closely with the DSS and other agencies to detect and disrupt threats ranging from violent extremism to sabotage and misinformation.
He stressed that modern security administration demands more than traditional intelligence gathering, calling for increased investment in analytical capacity, inter-agency trust, and technology-driven intelligence systems.
The governor also urged security agencies to adopt non-kinetic peacebuilding approaches that include community engagement, preventive diplomacy, and counter-narrative strategies.
“Peace must be pursued through justice, development, and inclusion,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, commended the DSS for its strong collaboration with traditional institutions in addressing grassroots security challenges.
The Emir disclosed that through DSS-facilitated alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, the Zazzau Emirate had successfully decongested its courts by more than 2,000 cases within two years.
He further applauded the agency’s vetting of district and village heads, which he said had helped identify and remove unfit traditional officials from the system.
“It is better to get rid of them from the beginning than to allow them to exploit their people,” the monarch added.
Representing the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Major-General Mohammed Wase, the Garrison Commander, Brigadier-General Mohammed Kana, noted that the military had achieved significant operational gains against bandits and terrorists in the region, owing to consistent and actionable intelligence provided by the DSS.
In his welcome address, the Kaduna State Director of the DSS, Mr. Hakeem Abiola, explained that the zonal meeting was convened to review operational challenges and improve synergy among security formations across the North-West.
Abiola noted that under the leadership of the Director-General, Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, the DSS had implemented several kinetic and non-kinetic operations, including community-based peace initiatives aimed at “winning the hearts and minds” of citizens.
He highlighted the service’s collaboration with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and civil society organisations as crucial to sustaining peace and stability in Kaduna State and the wider region.
“Through regular engagements with JNI, CAN, and community leaders, we have been able to resolve sensitive disputes before they escalate,” he said.