Brigadier-General Ishaya Ibrahim, Commander of the 17th Brigade, stated that terrorists and bandits move across state boundaries by identifying weaknesses in security operations. He emphasized that improved intelligence from the DSS—including human intelligence, surveillance, and community-sourced information—is critical for precise military responses.

Katsina State Director of Security Alhassan Iliyasu said the conference aimed to develop practical measures to strengthen counter-terrorism operations and highlighted the need for a whole-of-society approach. The state's deputy governor, Malam Faruk Lawal Jobe, noted that addressing insecurity requires both military operations and interventions in agriculture, education, and employment.

Participants are expected to produce a communique with actionable measures on intelligence sharing, joint operations, and community engagement to combat terrorism and banditry across the North-West.