Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State emphasized that the prevailing insecurity in the country’s North is primarily attributed to poverty, unemployment, and a lack of education. In an interview with Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, Governor Sani highlighted the distinct nature of the security challenges in the North West, differentiating them from the insurgency prevalent in the North East.
According to Sani, the crisis in the North-West manifests in the form of banditry and kidnapping, representing an underlying economic problem. He pointed out that a critical examination of the situation reveals a pattern where most bandits engage in the kidnapping of innocent individuals, subsequently demanding ransom for their release. Sani noted, “Whenever they are given money, they will release the victims in many cases, and in some cases, when there is a delay, they end up taking the lives of those victims.”
The governor underscored the interconnectedness of insecurity with socio-economic challenges, particularly in the North of Nigeria. He identified poverty, unemployment, hopelessness, and a lack of education as pivotal factors contributing to the prevalence of these incidents. Sani argued that the statistics reflect a stark reality, with a significant percentage of people in the North-West living below the poverty line. Furthermore, he highlighted the alarming number of out-of-school children, concentrating in the North-West zone, citing recent reports from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Quoting statistics, Governor Sani asserted, “The last time I checked, and you can confirm from the SDGs recent report, you would agree with me that about 80 to 90% of the people living in the Northwestern part of Nigeria are living below the poverty line.” He also drew attention to the prevalence of out-of-school children, pointing out that a substantial portion originates from the North-West.
While acknowledging the significance of apprehending and prosecuting criminals, Sani contended that the non-kinetic approach, which involves bringing criminals to justice and pardoning them upon surrender, is only one facet of the solution. He stressed that addressing the root causes of insecurity is paramount, emphasizing the need to focus on the people’s overall well-being, including tackling issues of poverty and unemployment.
In conclusion, Governor Uba Sani underscored the imperative of adopting a comprehensive approach to tackle insecurity in the North-West. He believes the region can achieve lasting stability and security by addressing the socio-economic factors at the heart of the issue, such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of education. Sani emphasized the importance of sustained efforts in implementing measures to uplift the people’s living standards, thereby mitigating the conditions that contribute to the prevailing security challenges in the Northwestern part of Nigeria.
