Directors of the Department of State Services (DSS) from across the North-West geopolitical zone are currently meeting in Kaduna to deliberate on strategies to address the rising wave of insecurity, including banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes plaguing the region.
The high-level security meeting, which commenced on Thursday at the DSS office complex along Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari Way (formerly WAFF Road), Kaduna, brought together top intelligence officers from Kebbi, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States.
Also in attendance were representatives from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Niger, and Plateau States, as well as heads of other security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Nigeria Customs Service.
Declaring the session open, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, represented by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shuaibu (SAN), described intelligence-led collaboration as the most effective tool in combating terrorism and criminality across the country.
Sani noted that the DSS has remained “the invisible backbone of Nigeria’s internal stability,” acknowledging its pivotal role in safeguarding democracy and preventing threats before they escalate.
“This conference offers an opportunity for reflection, coordination, and strategic renewal,” the governor stated.
He said the Kaduna State Government has consistently relied on intelligence-driven security measures, working closely with the DSS and other security agencies to detect and disrupt threats ranging from violent extremism to sabotage and misinformation.
The governor further stressed that modern security management demands more than traditional intelligence gathering, calling for increased investment in analytical capacity, inter-agency trust, and technology-driven systems.
He also urged security leaders to embrace non-kinetic peacebuilding strategies such as community engagement, preventive diplomacy, and counter-narrative initiatives, saying that “peace must be pursued through justice, development, and inclusion.”
The Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, who was also present, commended the DSS for its effective partnership with traditional institutions in resolving local disputes and tackling security challenges.
He disclosed that through DSS-supported alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, the Zazzau Emirate had successfully reduced court congestion by more than 2,000 cases within the past two years.
According to him, the agency’s screening and vetting of district and village heads have also helped in identifying unfit traditional leaders. “It is better to remove them early than to allow them to exploit their people,” the monarch remarked.
In his goodwill message, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Kana, who represented the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Wase, said the military’s recent gains against bandits and terrorists were largely achieved through actionable intelligence from the DSS.
Earlier, the Kaduna State Director of DSS, Mr. Hakeem Abiola, said the zonal conference was aimed at reviewing operational challenges and strengthening synergy among security agencies across the North-West.
Abiola lauded the leadership of the DSS Director-General, Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, for promoting both kinetic and non-kinetic operations, including peace initiatives designed to “win the hearts and minds” of citizens.
He noted that the Service has sustained regular engagements with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and civil society organisations, which have helped to prevent sensitive disputes from escalating into violence.
“Through our collaboration with JNI, CAN, and community leaders, we’ve been able to manage and resolve several security-related tensions before they snowball into crises,” he said.
The meeting continues behind closed doors with expectations that resolutions reached will further enhance intelligence sharing and strengthen regional coordination in the ongoing fight against insecurity in the North-West.