What Must Be Done to Bring Back Peace
Resolving the insecurity in Sankera requires a multi-dimensional approach that combines security, socio-economic, political, and community-based strategies. There must be sincere input from the key stakeholders to be able to achieve a lasting peace. The key steps are as follows;
Strengthen Security Operations (Short-Term)
Increased and enhanced military/police presence: More mobile police units and military patrols in hotspots (e.g., forests near Katsina-Ala).
Carry out Intelligence-led operations: Use of informants, drones, and tech surveillance to track gangs before they strike.
Create disarmament programs: Aggressive weapons recovery (many gangs use AK-47s from Libya/Cameroon).
Special forces crackdown: Target gang leaders (like “Ghana” Vanguard kingpins) with precision strikes.
Address Root Causes (Medium to Long-Term)
Job Creation & Youth Engagement
Provide Vocational training: Provide skills (farming, tech, trades) to unemployed youths vulnerable to gangs.
Sponsor State/NGO-funded startups: Micro-loans for small businesses to reduce crime incentives.
Encourage Public works programs: Employ youths in road construction, sanitation, etc.
Education & Deradicalization
Provide Free and affordable schooling: This will reduce dropout rates as many gang members are teenagers.
Create Community sensitization programmes: Use radio programmes, town halls to counter cult/gang propaganda.
Arrange Rehabilitation centres: For ex-gang members willing to surrender.
Farmer-Herder Conflict Resolution
Initiate Dialogue & mediation: Involve Miyetti Allah (the Fulani cultural organisation), Tiv leaders, and state government/local government in peace talks.
Create Grazing Reserves: Designate conflict-free zones for herders (to reduce farmland clashes).
Organise Compensation schemes: For victims of attacks and those farmers whose crops have been destroyed by cattle, to prevent revenge cycles.
Improve Governance & Accountability
Anti-corruption measures: Investigate politicians/officials funding of gangs for political thuggery.
Carry out Local govt reforms: Create more transparency in resource allocation (as poverty fuels crime).
Encourage Traditional rulers’ involvement: Empower local chiefs to report suspicious activities.
Community-Based Solutions
Vigilante support (with oversight): Train local guards (like Benue Volunteer Guards) but regulate them to prevent abuse.
Provide Neighbourhood watches: Encourage community policing with hotlines for tip-offs.
Create Peace committees in every community: Elders, women, and youth leaders mediating disputes before escalation.
Regional & International Cooperation
Increase Border security: Work with Cameroon and Niger governments to stop arms smuggling.
Encourage UN/NGO support: Partner with organizations like UNDP for post-conflict rebuilding.
Obviously, there are no solutions without challenges, challenges to expect are;
Fluctuations in political will: Some leaders benefit from chaos (e.g., using gangs for elections) thus may not want the gangs eliminated.
Government and Donor Agencies Funding: These solutions require sustained investment in security & welfare programs for a minimum period of 5 years.
Trust deficit: Communities may distrust security forces due to past abuses.
Sankera’s insecurity won’t end with military force alone. A “carrot and stick” approach i.e. crushing armed gangs while providing jobs, education, and good governance is the most sustainable solution.
