Confronting roots of insecurity and rebuilding the North

Northern Nigeria stands today at a painful crossroads. A region once known for its serenity, communal warmth, and agricultural abundance has become the theatre of heartbreaking violence. From the troubled fields of Zamfara to the battered communities of Borno, insecurity has grown into a hydra-headed monster—each head representing a different failure, each strike worsening the suffering of innocent citizens. Yet, amid the gloom lies an opportunity for self-reinvention, one that demands courage, clarity, and a firm political will.

The drivers of insecurity in the North did not emerge overnight. They are the cumulative result of decades of neglect, poverty, and weakening state structures.

The region bears some of the heaviest burdens of poverty and unemployment in the country. For countless youths, hope has become a luxury, and idleness a trap. In the absence of jobs, banditry, extremism, and militia recruitment have become seductive alternatives. When legitimate pathways to success close, illegitimate ones invite themselves.

Compounding this misery is the glaring weakness of security presence across vast northern landscapes. Forests stretch into ungoverned territories, villages sit hours away from the nearest police outpost, and highways echo with fear.

Where security is thin, criminals grow bold. Bandits, insurgents, and armed gangs find sanctuary in these neglected spaces, building camps, terrorising communities, and mocking state authority.

Traditional leadership, once the soul of local governance, has also lost much of its influence. For generations, local rulers mediated disputes, maintained order, and fostered communal harmony. Their diminishing authority has created a vacuum where chaos thrives. In many places, the ancient chains of social discipline have loosened, leaving communities vulnerable.

Yet, despite this grim tableau, the path forward exists. And it begins with deliberate governance reforms, bold policy initiatives, and urgent investment in human security.

Northern states must adopt modern and meticulous measures. A comprehensive biodata collection system, linked to state security networks, is no longer optional—it is essential. Residents should be issued secure state ID cards, backed by digital verification systems accessible to state police, immigration officers, and border control units. But this system must be fortified with rigorous vetting to prevent terrorists, bandits, and undocumented foreigners from slipping into official registers. A society that cannot account for its residents cannot safeguard them.

Economic revival is equally crucial. Without opportunities, crime becomes a livelihood. Governments must invest in skills acquisition, agro-processing industries, microfinance support for rural youth, and revitalisation of local economies. Education must be rescued from decay; the almajiri system must be reformed into a structured, dignified, modernised framework that combines religious learning with literacy and life skills.

The North must also embrace community-based intelligence systems, rebuild trust with traditional rulers, and strengthen local dispute mechanisms. Security agencies should collaborate with vigilante groups but maintain strict oversight to prevent abuses.

Northern Nigeria, with its rich history, brave people, and boundless potentials, deserves peace. The cries of its communities should stir the conscience of leaders.

If bold reforms are undertaken now—anchored in justice, vigilance, and socio-economic renewal—the North can once again become a sanctuary of stability and opportunity. The road is difficult, but not impossible. And the time to begin the journey is now.

Aliyu Abubakar Bello wrote via [email protected]

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