Former Army Spokesman Recommends Overhaul of Northwest Security Strategy
A former spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd), has recommended the total overhaul of Northwest security strategy to enhance public safety and stability in the region.
Kukasheka made the recommendation at a two-day retreat for Katsina State government officials with security experts, held in Kaduna.
He said there should be a shift beyond traditional security measures to include economic and peace-building strategies.
“Katsina State, like many others in the northwest, faces severe security challenges, including banditry, kidnapping, and herder-farmer conflicts.
“These issues threaten governance, economic growth, and social stability. Addressing them requires a blend of security operations, peacebuilding strategies, and conflict management mechanisms.”
While commending the recent initiatives of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s administration, which include the establishment of the community watch corps and a dedicated security ministry, Gen. Kukasheka stressed that there is need for a more broader strategy.
“We need to move beyond just policing. We need economic programmes that give young people alternatives to crime. We need traditional leaders and religious groups at the table. And we need intelligence gathering that helps us stay ahead of threats,” he pointed out.
The retired General defined security as encompassing more than just military force, but also good governance, opportunity creation, and collaborative solutions.
“Security isn’t just about guns and guards. It’s about good governance. It’s about giving people hope and opportunities, and most importantly, it’s about bringing everyone together to find solutions that last.”
Similarly, former Minister of Information Frank Nweke II while calling for a transformative leadership culture in Katsina state said, “Any kind of leadership that does not improve the human condition is not leadership—it is simply occupying a seat.”
Drawing inspiration from one of Nigeria’s most celebrated public servants, late Dr Dora Akunyili, the former minister praised her transformative leadership at NAFDAC – from a corruption-riddled agency into a respected institution that saved countless lives from fake drugs.
Nweke urged Katsina state government officials to prioritise public interest above all else.
“Dr. Akunyili didn’t just manage NAFDAC—she revolutionized it. She fired corrupt officials. She strengthened enforcement. She built partnerships. Most importantly, she showed that transformation is possible when leaders put public interest first,” he said.
Addressing the challenges facing Katsina State, Nweke identified corruption, resistance to change, and poor motivation as significant obstacles.
“These aren’t just words on a page. They’re roadblocks keeping our children from quality education, our families from decent healthcare, our communities from basic security.”
He proposed a five-point plan with focus on integrity in decision-making, leading by example, empowering staff through training, using data-driven policy, and breaking down departmental silos.
The two-day retreat which started from Thursday, February 20th to Friday, February 21st, 2025, was aimed at equipping top-level executive members of the government with strategies to address the pressing challenges of the state.
