The Youth President and National Chairman of the National Youth Alliance (NYA), Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbas, has expressed deep concern over the persistent security challenges ravaging Zamfara State and other parts of Northern Nigeria.
Reacting to a recent statement by the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, who lamented that his greatest constraint in combating banditry is the lack of direct control over security agencies, Amb. Abbas described the situation as “heartbreaking and unacceptable.”
“My heart melted when I watched and listened to the Governor of Zamfara speaking about the security situation in his state. The fact that a sitting governor, who bears the burden of responsibility and the cries of his people, lacks direct operational control over security agencies is both tragic and a wake-up call. We cannot continue to demand results from leaders who do not have the necessary tools of enforcement at their disposal.”
Amb. Abbas emphasized that this structural gap has worsened insecurity across the North, as governors are held accountable for crises they cannot fully command. He called for a new security architecture that gives state governments greater operational authority, while still maintaining national coordination.
Proposed Measures by Amb. Aliyu Bin Abbas
1. Operational Reforms: Establish a State Joint Security Command to harmonize the activities of federal security agencies under the direct supervision of governors.
2. Community Integration: Formalize and professionalize local vigilante groups into a regulated Community Safety Corps that will work hand-in-hand with federal forces.
3. Technology & Youth Involvement: Deploy drones, surveillance systems, and trained youth security volunteers to cover difficult terrains and provide real-time intelligence.
4. Cutting Off Bandit Financing: Enforce strict policies to block ransom payments, dismantle illegal mining operations, and monitor the cattle trade that funds criminal gangs.
5. Swift Justice: Establish mobile courts for banditry and kidnapping cases to ensure speedy trials and accountability.
Amb. Abbas assured Nigerians that the National Youth Alliance remains committed to working with stakeholders—governors, traditional rulers, security agencies, civil society, women, and the youth—to restore peace in the region.
“Northern Nigeria cannot thrive in fear. Our farmers must return to their fields, our children must go back to schools safely, and our women must live without fear of abduction. As Youth President, I stand with the people of Zamfara and all affected states. Together, we must demand a security system that works for the people, not against them.”
