Directors of the Department of State Services drawn from the North-West geopolitical zone are currently meeting in Kaduna to deliberate on the worsening insecurity caused by banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes in the region.

The meeting, which is being held at the DSS office complex along Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari Way (formerly WAFF Road), Kaduna, began on Thursday.

All DSS directors from Kebbi, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states were in attendance. The session was declared open by the Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, who was represented by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shuaibu (SAN).

Also present were representatives from the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, and Plateau states, as well as heads of other security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Nigeria Customs Service.

Declaring the conference open, Sani emphasised that intelligence-led collaboration remains the most effective tool for neutralising security threats in the North-West and across the country.

He described the DSS as “The invisible backbone of Nigeria’s internal stability,” noting that the agency has played a vital role in safeguarding democracy and pre-empting threats nationwide.

“This conference offers an opportunity for reflection, coordination, and strategic renewal,” he said.

According to the governor, Kaduna has consistently prioritised intelligence-driven security approaches, partnering with the DSS and other agencies to detect and disrupt threats ranging from violent extremism to sabotage and misinformation.

He stressed that modern security management requires more than traditional intelligence gathering, urging greater investment in analytical capacity, inter-agency trust, and technology-driven intelligence systems.

Sani also called on security leaders to adopt non-kinetic peacebuilding methods, including community engagement, preventive diplomacy, and counter-narrative strategies.

“Peace must be pursued through justice, development, and inclusion,” he added.

The Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Bamalli, who attended the event, commended the DSS for its cooperation with traditional institutions in addressing community-level disputes and security threats.

He revealed that through DSS-facilitated alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, the Zazzau Emirate had successfully decongested its courts by over 2,000 cases within two years.

Bamalli also praised the agency’s vetting of district and village heads, saying the process had helped identify and remove unfit traditional officials.

“It’s better to get rid of them from the beginning than to allow them to exploit their people,” he said.

Representing the General Officer Commanding, 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Wase, the 1 Division Garrison Commander, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Kana, said the military had made significant gains against bandits and terrorists in the region due to consistent and actionable intelligence provided by the DSS.

In his welcome address, the Kaduna State Director of the DSS, Mr Hakeem Abiola, said the zonal meeting was convened to review operational challenges and improve synergy among security formations across the North-West.

Abiola noted that under the leadership of the Director-General, Mr Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, the DSS had implemented several kinetic and non-kinetic operations, including community-based peace initiatives aimed at “winning the hearts and minds” of citizens.

He also highlighted the service’s collaboration with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and civil society organisations as central to sustaining peace in Kaduna.

“Through regular engagements with JNI, CAN, and community leaders, we’ve been able to resolve sensitive disputes before they escalate,” Abiola said.