Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, has highlighted that negotiating with bandits is not the sole responsibility of Northern governors, but a national issue that requires coordinated action from the Federal Government. The governor made the statement during an interview on Prime Time, a program on Arise Television, on Monday.
Governor Inuwa was responding to questions about the increasing wave of insecurity in Northern Nigeria, where bandits have been targeting communities, schools, and even abducting women and children. The governor stressed that while state leaders are making efforts to curb the menace, ultimate control of security operations lies with federal authorities.
Inuwa explained that security agencies in Nigeria operate under a hierarchy that does not allow governors to directly command military or paramilitary units. “Security is on the exclusive list, but the governors are doing whatever possible to ensure that this issue of banditry is brought under control,” he said.
He added, “Security agencies do not take directives from the governors; they only take them from their commanders. Governors would have to wait until these security agencies get orders from above, and by the time decisions are made, it might be too late.”
The governor’s comments highlight a recurring challenge in Nigeria’s federal system, where state executives often face delays in addressing immediate security threats due to the chain of command in the military and police.
Northern Nigeria has been grappling with persistent insecurity in recent years. Bandits, armed with sophisticated weapons, have carried out kidnappings, killings, and attacks on villages. The phenomenon has particularly affected states such as Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, and Gombe, leaving thousands of residents fearful for their safety.
Many attacks have targeted schools and places of worship, with abducted children and women often held for ransom. According to reports, some recent kidnappings have involved scores of students and young women, drawing national and international attention.
Governor Inuwa proposed that establishing more robust local policing structures could enhance security at the community level. “So, having the local police will bring effective security,” he said, arguing that community-based forces can respond more swiftly to threats than units that report only to federal commanders.
While Northern governors have held several meetings to discuss strategies to combat banditry, Governor Inuwa believes that the problem requires national-level intervention. He stressed that isolated efforts by individual states are insufficient given the cross-border operations of many criminal gangs.
“Negotiating with bandits has gone beyond Northern governors; it is a national issue,” Inuwa said. He also noted that while state governments can provide resources and coordinate local intelligence, operational control must come from the federal level to ensure consistent and effective action.
The ongoing insecurity has caused widespread fear in communities across Northern Nigeria. Many residents now avoid sending their children to school, and economic activities in affected areas have been disrupted. Farmers and traders report that bandit attacks have forced them to abandon farmlands and markets, leading to increased food insecurity.
Governor Inuwa’s comments come amid growing public frustration over repeated kidnappings and attacks. Civil society groups have repeatedly called for urgent reforms in security strategies, better funding for police operations, and improved collaboration between state and federal authorities.
The banditry crisis has also become a political issue. Northern governors have faced criticism for their perceived inability to tackle insecurity within their states, while federal authorities are pressured to provide solutions and strengthen military operations. Governor Inuwa’s statement clarifying that security directives come from federal command underscores the complexity of addressing these threats under Nigeria’s federal system.
Governor Inuwa’s remarks indicate the need for a multifaceted approach to Nigeria’s security challenges. While federal security agencies remain the primary responders, state governments and local communities must play complementary roles to ensure the safety of citizens.
