Four Reasons Why Insecurity Persists in Parts of Northern Nigeria, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara
Four Reasons Why Insecurity Persists in Parts of Northern Nigeria, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara
By Dr. Kabir Adamu , 
Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer Beacon Security and Innovations Limited (BSIL)
Violent criminality, including banditry and kidnapping for ransom, such as the recent abductions of senior public officials in northwestern Nigeria have once again highlighted the persistent insecurity in the region, despite years of military operations and government interventions.
On 25th July 2026, the Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area in Zamfara State, Hon. Nura Umar Abdullahi, was abducted by armed bandits. About 24 hours later, a High Court Judge, Hon. Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza, was also kidnapped in neighbouring Kebbi State.
According to a report by a globally respected security risk management firm, Beacon Security and Innovations Limited, BSIL, insecurity has continued to worsen across parts of northwestern Nigeria, particularly in Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi states.
The report identifies Sokoto State as currently facing the most severe security challenges among the three states, despite efforts such as the procurement of security vehicles, the formation of state community guards, and the provision of monthly allowances to security personnel. It urges the governors of Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi to strengthen cooperation with one another and work more closely with the Federal Government, but to ensure accountability mechanisms are introduced if meaningful progress is to be made in tackling the crisis.
Dr. Kabir Adamu, Managing Director of BSIL, in an interview on BBC Hausa stated the organisation has repeatedly offered practical recommendations that, if implemented, could have reduced the scale of insecurity in the affected states.
“This is a recommendation to the governors of Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states. We have observed that armed bandits have recently intensified their attacks and are increasingly abducting people for ransom,” he said.
Dr. Adamu added that the recent kidnappings of a High Court judge and a local government chairman both of whom remain in captivity reflect a broader pattern of escalating violence.
“We are aware of the recent abductions of the judge and the local government chairman, who are still being held by the bandits, as well as the almost daily attacks on rural communities,” he noted.
The BSIL report emphasises four major factors behind the continued insecurity in the three northwestern states:
1. Poor coordination among state governments in responding to cross-border bandit activities.
2. Insufficient accountability measures in the collaboration with the Federal Government and security agencies, limiting the effectiveness of ongoing operations.
3. Failure to implement expert security recommendations that could strengthen prevention and response efforts.
4. Increasing boldness and operational capacity of armed bandits, who continue to carry out frequent attacks and kidnappings for ransom.
The report concludes that a coordinated regional strategy involving the governments of Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states, as well as the Federal Government, is essential to reversing the worsening security situation in northwestern Nigeria.
Dr. Kabiru Adamu of Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited hereby appeals to Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto of Sokoto State, Governor Dauda Lawal Dare of Zamfara State, and Governor Nasir Idris Kauran Gwandu of Kebbi State to work closely in implementing professional advice given to them by security experts and well-meaning Nigerians.
Sign
Dr. Kabir Adamu
MD Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited (BSIL)
3rd July 2026
