Police DIG Urges Sokoto Stakeholders to Back Security Agencies Against Banditry
By Fahad Faruk Galadanchi
The Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Administration and Finance, Suleiman Muhammad Abdul, has called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, youths and community groups in Sokoto State to support ongoing efforts to combat banditry, arms trafficking and other criminal activities in the NorthWest.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement in Sokoto on Monday, the DIG stressed that defeating insecurity requires strong collaboration between security agencies and local communities.
He noted that Sokoto’s proximity to the border with Niger Republic exposes the state to the threat of arms smuggling and other transnational crimes, making community vigilance essential.
Abdul urged traditional rulers to enhance grassroots intelligence gathering and information sharing, while calling on religious leaders to continue promoting peace, unity and non-violence. He also appealed to youths to resist recruitment into criminal groups and instead support efforts aimed at safeguarding their communities.
According to the DIG the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to strengthening community policing and intelligence led operations to improve security across Sokoto and the wider North West region.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in Sokoto State, Hayatu Usman, highlighted recent operational successes recorded by the command, including the recovery of firearms and ammunition, rescue of kidnapping victims, arrest of criminal suspects and recovery of stolen livestock .
However he identified logistics constraints, manpower shortages and the evolving tactics of criminal groups as major challenges confronting the command.
Usman attributed the successes achieved so far to intelligence driven operations and sustained support from stakeholders and residents across the state.
