DSS convenes N’East security conference to tackle emerging challenges (pictures)

September 26, 2024

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DSS convenes N’East security conference to tackle emerging challenges (pictures)

Story by Ahmad SAKA, Bauchi

The Department of State Services (DSS) has convened the Northeastern States Zonal Conference in Bauchi to address the security challenges facing the region and the nation.

The conference, which is the 17th Quarterly Conference of State Directors of Security (SDSes) in the North-East geopolitical zone, aims to facilitate operational and intelligence sharing synergy among state DSS directors.

The State DSS Director in Bauchi, Nafi’u Bello, said the conference seeks to provide a platform for State DSS Directors to exchange knowledge, share insights, and explore innovative solutions to address the myriad security challenges in the zone.

Bello said the zonal conference is a forum to rub minds and exchange views and ideas with a view to come up with strategies to identify and check threats to national security.

He expressed the gratitude and appreciation of the DSS to Governor Bala Mohammed for his administration’s partnership with the service and promised to live up to expectations.

Zonal Director of DSS, Alhaji Sani Abdullahi Bakori, said the security landscape is constantly evolving, presenting new and unprecedented challenges to security agencies, the executive, legislators, judiciary, and societies across the country.

Bakori said the conference features thought-provoking keynote presentations, interactive discussions, and networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among SDSes from various states.

He said the conference will witness robust sharing of operational ideas, peer review of existing security containment measures, and review of tactical and strategic security operations, with recommendations made to higher authorities.

He outlined kidnapping, banditry, cattle rustling, insurgency and political thuggery, climate change, economic problems as some of similar security challenges experienced in the zone and the need to urgently tackle them.

Bakori said that the subregion has had its share of security challenges such as terrorism, Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping, communal conflicts, among others, which have resulted in devastating loss of lives, displacements of millions of citizens and its gross significant setbacks to the development of the region and the country at large.

He said they are poised to discuss and find lasting solutions to these problems so that the citizens can live securely wherever they are.

Bakori said that during the three-day conference, they would focus on several key areas crucial in fostering stability and peace of the North-East through strengthening community resilience and community policing, strategic collaboration and partnerships with relevant stakeholders in addressing the root causes of these challenges.

“The region has faced so many security challenges over the past few years, principally due to the activities of terrorists and insurgent groups, kidnappers, farmers and herders hostilities, youth restiveness, communal conflicts, religious and ethnic intolerance, climate change manifesting in torrential rains and severe floodings as well as socio-economic repercussions of these crises.

“The impact has been devastating loss of lives, displacements of millions of citizens and its gross significant setbacks to the development and social cohesion,” he said.

The North-East SDS Chairman added that: “Today, we are reminded that security is not merely the absence of violence, it is about creating an environment where our children can thrive, where families can feel safe in their homes and where children can pursue their education without fear.

“We will be engaged in discussing over the next few days, let our focus be on several key areas that are crucial in fostering stability and peace of the North-East through strengthening community resilience and community policing, strategic collaboration and partnerships with relevant stakeholders in addressing the root causes of these challenges.

“It is pertinent to inform the participants that the world is changing and technically is also very relevant in discharging our mandate.

“As we move forward, let us be guided by the spirit of collaboration, innovation and determination. The challenges we face are numerable but not insurmountable.

“Each of us has a role to play in building a safer and more secure North-East Nigeria. He urged stakeholders in the security sector to commit to functional strategies and hold each other accountable as they work towards deliberating solutions that will make tangible differences in the lives of our people.

“Let us remember that the true measure of our success will not be the strategies we develop but in the lives we touch and communities we restore a peaceful atmosphere.

“Together, we can create a future where security is not just a dream but a reality for all citizens of the North-East,” he stated.

Declaring the conference open, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed said that the expertise of the Department of State Services (DSS) in intelligence gathering is indispensable, especially as threats to security can emerge from any corner and at any time.

The governor acknowledged the critical role the DSS is playing in maintaining peace and stability in the country.

Represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Auwal Jatau, Governor Mohammed said considering the numerous challenges of insecurity currently facing the country, there is need for government at all levels to leverage on the capabilities of the DSS and other security agencies in order to overcome the obstacles.

He emphasised the importance of addressing the root causes of insecurity which include poverty, unemployment and social discontent and advocated for a robust network of intelligence sharing to address the security challenges through implementation of initiatives that promote economic growth and social cohesion.

“I want to appreciate the State Directors of Security for initiating this Zonal Conference,” he said.

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