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Cross-Border Crimes: Experts Urge Stronger Control, Community Trust-Building in Northern Nigeria
Cross-Border Crimes: Experts Urge Stronger Control, Community Trust-Building in Northern Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
As insecurity continues to escalate across the Sokoto–Zamfara–Katsina axis, security experts and stakeholders have called for urgent measures to strengthen border control, enhance government commitment, and deepen collaboration among civil society organisations (CSOs), security agencies, and local communities in tackling cross-border crimes.
The call was made on Tuesday during a national deliberative session organised by the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) and the Research and Action for Peace (REcAP) Project, in collaboration with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), with funding support from the European Union. The theme of the session was: “Curbing Cross-Border Crimes in the Sokoto–Zamfara–Katsina Axis of the Nigeria–Niger Borderlands through Strengthened Stakeholders’ Partnership and Collaboration.”
Speaking at the session, Francis Onyekwue, National Coordinator of the Trauma Awareness and Resilience Initiative, identified the legacy of colonial border demarcations as a significant root cause of persistent security challenges in the region.
“The borders were drawn by colonial masters without regard for ethnic and linguistic realities. For example, Hausa is spoken across both sides of the Nigeria–Niger border, yet porous borders have facilitated arms smuggling, especially from the Sahel region and the Libyan crisis,” he said.
Onyekwue urged the government to move beyond symbolic border posts and adopt technology-driven surveillance and effective patrol systems. He also stressed the role of climate change in aggravating insecurity, noting that shrinking grazing land has pushed pastoralists into new territories and intensified clashes over resources.
“Countries like Libya and Burkina Faso have invested in greening dry lands to reduce migration pressures. What stops Nigeria from doing the same in the North?” he queried.
Presenting a working paper titled “Calculating Cross-Border Crimes in the So-Called Borders and the Axes of the Nigeria–Niger Border through Strengthened Stakeholders’ Partnership and Collaboration,” Dr. Abubakar Suma’ila of Usman Danfodiyo University traced the historical importance of the Sokoto–Zamfara–Katsina axis as a pre-colonial hub linking Sahel trade and culture. He noted that while colonial-era partition weakened these systems, post-colonial states have failed to sustain effective border management.
According to him, cross-border crimes have evolved significantly: “Armed groups now target civilians more than government forces, with criminal networks linked to arms smuggling and banditry spreading across communities. The ethnicization of this conflict is a dangerous myth. Evidence shows that many criminal actors operate irrespective of ethnic lines.”
Suma’ila called for coordinated intelligence-sharing, robust community engagement, and multi-stakeholder partnerships to address the complexity of emerging threats.
Also speaking, Kumah L.J., Assistant Comptroller of Customs, emphasised building trust with border communities as a critical step toward improving security.
“Cross-border insecurity is a national issue and cannot be solved overnight. Security personnel must work closely with local communities to gather frontline intelligence beyond surface-level information. Agencies must collaborate and share intelligence for effective operations,” he stated.
Manji Mangrock, Programme Manager at WANEP Abuja, highlighted the complementary role of CSOs in peacebuilding and security.
“Our work focuses on peace education, good governance, and conflict documentation. CSOs provide raw data and advocacy support to security agencies. What is needed now is a stronger partnership and coordination to avoid duplication of efforts and maximise impact.”
Similarly, Jennifer Alaeda, Principal Relief Officer at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), underscored the importance of youth inclusion in countering insecurity. She called for education, advocacy, and mentorship programs to break the cycle of violence while urging research institutions to share challenges and lessons to strengthen collective responses.
Cross-Border Crimes: Experts Urge Stronger Control, Community Trust-Building in Northern Nigeria
NSCDC Promotes Grassroots Security, Community-Based Intelligence
By: Michael Mike
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has reiterated its commitment to strengthening grassroots security and community-based intelligence across the country as tools for tackling insecurity.
The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Audi gave the commitment during his working visit of Anambra State as part of his continued strategic operational tour of the South East.
Audi, who was received by the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo, noted that his visit was aimed at assessing the welfare of personnel, understanding field challenges, and reinforcing the Corps’ operational capacity in the region.
Speaking during the courtesy call at the Government House, Awka, the Commandant General commended the Governor for his administration’s proactive efforts in maintaining peace and stability. He also solicited greater logistical and infrastructural support to enhance the NSCDC’s performance in the state.
He said: “Security must begin from the grassroots. That is where the people live, work, and build the future. The Corps remains resolute in delivering quality service and ensuring that the confidence of Nigerians, particularly Ndi Anambra, in our operations is not misplaced.”
Soludo, in his response, commended the NSCDC for its professionalism, discipline, and resilience, especially in safeguarding critical national assets and public infrastructure.
He said: “Here in Anambra, the Light of the Nation, our greatest asset is our people: creative, enterprising, and innovative. They are the engine of our economy. Ensuring their safety and prosperity is a shared responsibility, and we appreciate the NSCDC for standing firm in that mission.”
The governor pledged continued partnership and support for the Corps, affirming that security remains the foundation for the state’s economic growth and innovation-driven development.
The Commandant General’s tour of Anambra is part of a nationwide operational assessment aimed at improving welfare, operational readiness, and synergy among security stakeholders. It underscores the NSCDC’s renewed focus on community trust, proactive engagement, and service excellence under Prof. Audi’s leadership.
NSCDC Promotes Grassroots Security, Community-Based Intelligence
Security forces rescue three kidnapped women in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forces have rescued three kidnapped women following a gun battle with bandits along the Anka–Bukkuyum road in Anka Local Government Area.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 6 p.m. on Oct. 7, when armed bandits blocked the highway and attacked a Golf vehicle with registration number RBC 22 ABUJA.
The assailants abducted the driver and three passengers before the arrival of the Anti-Kidnapping team led by Insp. Ibrahim Ubandoma.
The security team engaged the bandits in a fierce shootout, overpowering them and rescuing the three abducted passengers unhurt.
The rescued victims were identified as Lantana Abubakar, aged 70; Fatima Muhammad, aged 45; and Suwaiba Muhammad, aged 40, all residents of Gummi town in Gummi Local Government Area.
The victims were safely escorted to Anka town by the security team.
Efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining abducted driver, as patrol operations continue in the area.
Security forces rescue three kidnapped women in Zamfara
Police kill two bandits in Zamfara ambush
By: Zagazola Makama
The Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed the killing of two armed bandits during an exchange of fire with security operatives in Mada District, Gusau Local Government Area.
According to sources, the operation followed credible intelligence about an imminent bandit attack on villages within the Mada area.
The sources stated that at about 3:10 a.m. on Oct. 7, a joint team of police tactical operatives, community protection guards (CPG), and local hunters were deployed to Fegin Mahe village, where they laid an ambush along the suspected route of the bandits.
Three bandits were said to have approached the location and were immediately engaged in a gun battle by the security team.
Two of the bandits were killed during the encounter, while the third escaped with possible gunshot injuries.
The police said efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspect.
Police kill two bandits in Zamfara ambush
Marwa: NDLEA Open to Controlled Exportation of Cannabis Oil
NSCDC Promotes Grassroots Security, Community-Based Intelligence
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