Top officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) from the North-West zone, along with counterparts from the FCT, Niger, and Plateau States, gathered in Kaduna on Thursday to discuss new ways to tackle terrorism and banditry. The meeting focused on strengthening intelligence sharing, boosting cooperation with other security agencies, and improving both military and peace-focused strategies to secure the region.
The event was opened by Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani, represented by Commissioner for Internal Security, Sule Shuaibu. He praised the DSS for its role in protecting democracy and disrupting violent groups. The governor stressed that intelligence-based operations remain key to eliminating criminal elements, calling for better technology use, deeper analysis, and stronger trust between security stakeholders. He also encouraged community involvement and peace-building efforts to address the root causes of insecurity.
Traditional institutions were also recognized during the session. The Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, applauded the DSS for working closely with traditional rulers to resolve local disputes and weed out unfit community leaders. He noted ongoing screening of district and village heads to ensure accountability and maintain peace in vulnerable areas.
The Nigerian Army also reaffirmed its partnership with the DSS. Representing the GOC 1 Division, Brigadier General Mohammed Kana emphasized that DSS intelligence has been vital for military operations in the zone. He called for continued collaboration to keep pressure on terrorists and bandits operating across state boundaries.
Kaduna DSS Director Hakeem Abiola explained that the meeting was aimed at closing security gaps and improving coordinated regional responses. He referenced successful recent operations that led to rescued hostages, foiled attacks, and seized weapons. Abiola highlighted the Kaduna Peace Model—community-driven security efforts—as a major success story and recommended the creation of a regional security forum that includes security agencies, traditional leaders, and government officials.
