The Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Finance and Administration and supervising the North West, Suleiman Mohammad Abdul, has urged residents of Sokoto State to play a more active role in tackling insecurity by working closely with security agencies.
Speaking during an interactive meeting held at the Sokoto State Police Command Headquarters, Abdul told community leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, civil society organisations and other stakeholders that defeating banditry and other criminal activities requires the full support of the public.
He explained that lasting peace cannot be achieved through the efforts of security agencies alone, stressing that community vigilance, timely intelligence sharing and strong cooperation with law enforcement remain essential in the fight against crime.
Describing Sokoto as the historic seat of the Caliphate and a symbol of peace, justice and unity, the senior police officer noted that the state’s strategic location makes it central to ongoing efforts to improve security across the North West and Nigeria as a whole.
Abdul also conveyed the goodwill of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, saying the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force recognises the vital role communities play in preventing crime and promoting public safety.
“We are here because security is not the responsibility of the police alone. It is a shared responsibility. While our officers confront criminals on the frontlines, lasting peace can only be achieved through united, vigilant and resilient communities,” he said.
He pointed out that Sokoto’s long international border and vast rural landscape present serious security concerns, including cross border crimes, illegal arms trafficking, the movement of criminal elements and the activities of informants assisting bandits and kidnappers.
According to him, the Nigeria Police Force is strengthening its relationship with local communities by rebuilding public trust, improving community based intelligence gathering and dismantling criminal networks through active citizen participation.
The DIG urged traditional rulers to remain alert and quickly report suspicious activities within their communities, describing them as leaders with close ties to the grassroots.
He also appealed to religious leaders to continue preaching peace, condemning violence and discouraging young people from joining criminal groups or acting as informants for bandits and kidnappers.
Addressing the youths, Abdul encouraged them to reject crime and instead devote their energy to productive ventures, neighbourhood watch programmes and community policing initiatives.
He further challenged members of the Police Community Relations Committee and civil society organisations to strengthen public confidence in security agencies, deepen community engagement and encourage peaceful resolution of disputes.
“Let us build a Sokoto where farmers can cultivate their lands without fear, where criminals find no sanctuary, where informants have no hiding place and where the police and the people stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of peace and development,” he added.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in Sokoto State, Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, described the DIG’s visit as a major boost to ongoing efforts aimed at improving both operational performance and administrative efficiency within the command.
Shaffa noted that Sokoto’s border with the Niger Republic, along with its proximity to neighbouring states, makes it an important economic corridor while also exposing it to complex security challenges that demand constant vigilance.
He also highlighted the state’s religious and historical importance as the home of Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, whose leadership, he said, continues to encourage peace, dialogue and national unity.
Reviewing the command’s achievements since assuming office in March, the commissioner disclosed that police operations led to the recovery of seven AK 47 rifles, four locally made rifles, three locally fabricated pistols, 12 Dane guns, 153 rounds of ammunition and 15 magazines.
He added that officers also recovered 310 rustled animals, rescued 32 kidnapped victims, neutralised four bandits and arrested three suspected informants, alongside several other suspects linked to different criminal offences.
Despite these successes, Shaffa identified manpower shortages, inadequate operational equipment, logistical constraints and the growing threat of cybercrime as major challenges facing the command.
He expressed appreciation to the Sokoto State Government, traditional institutions, religious leaders and community stakeholders for their continued support, noting that the provision of patrol vehicles, financial assistance and intelligence cooperation has greatly enhanced police operations across the state.
The meeting concluded with an interactive session where community representatives exchanged ideas with the DIG and senior police officers on practical measures to strengthen security, improve intelligence gathering and build greater public trust in Sokoto State.
