By Musa Ubandawaki
Sokoto is one of the states in the northwest battling attacks by bandits and other criminal gangs which lead to the death and displacement of thousands of people from their Communities.
Gov Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto on Saturday, inaugurated the 2596 able bodied Community Guards Corps to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies in the fight against banditry and other sundary crimes in the state.
The Governor while inaugurating the first Batch of 2596 guards Corps said it was part of his administration’s efforts to adopt a “community-driven” approach towards ending the challenge of insecurity facing the state.
The first batch of the Corps consists of 2586 able bodied men selected across 13 local government areas worst hit by Banditry in Sokoto state.
“The very essence of this corps lies in community engagement, collaboration, and mutual Support for them to succeed and achieved the objective of it’s establishment”.
” We are targeting the roots of insecurity in our state and our entire northern region as a whole so to bring back the lost glory of the past”
He called on members of the new corps to work diligently so as to earn the overall confidence of whole state
“Our guard corps, as you step out into the field, remember that you bear a significant responsibility, that you are not just protectors but also the role models to others who want to join, the essence of your training goes beyond physical combat readiness or tactical expertise, but it’s bout the development of a character that understands the value of , community, cohesion, culture and mutual respect among others .
“As you interact and mingle with your communities, let these principles guide your actions and decisions while carrying out your Operational mandate.
“You have been saddled with the responsibility of facing a deadly enemy who has no respect for human life or peaceful existence.
“These criminals have brought pain to our mothers, wives, daughters, sons, and our fathers, it is our moral duties to protect and shelter them at all cost.
“As a leader, you will have my full support and that of the entire state, as we will together work to eradicate challenge of insecurity facing our dear state,” says the Governor.
Gov Aliyu later released 30 utility vehicles and thousands of motorcycles to enhance movement and other logistical needs of the new security outfit
In his address, major General Junaidu Shehu Bindawa (rtd) the trainer of the Community Guards said, the 2596 guards corps graduands have undergoes a 9 weeks regorouse training in weapons handling, Community Policing, Community security and on how best to stop and carryout Ambush against their targets.
” We have started with 2630 trainees but later 2596 were able to graduate at the end of the two months and one week training exercise.
General Bindawa further recognized and commend the visionary leadership of Katsina state Governor Dikko Radda for coming out with the bold initiative.
He appealed to other state governors of the north to follow suit as the current challenge of insecurity is about to consume the entire northern region.
Earlier in his address the Sultan of Sokoto and president General supreme council for Islamic affairs in Nigeria his eminence Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III urged people of the north to joined hands together in the fight against insecurity bedeviling the region.
Sultan said, the issue of insecurity is not a matter that affect Sokoto state or northwest alone but something that is about to consume the entire country.”
” You should use both kinetic and non kinetic approach in your fight against the enemy, “no one should be killed unjustly.”
The Sultan however advocated for decent and proper utilization of the Community guard corps, while urging governors to establish a trust fund for the continue sustenance of the new Community guards in their various states.
The unique event was witnessed by Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara state, Bauchi state Governor Bala Mohammed, Nasir idris of Kebbi state, Abba Kabir of Kano state, Katsina state Governor Dikko Radda and chairman northwest Governor’s forum, the Deputy Governor of Benue state, former national security advisor General Aliyu Gusau retired, former governors of Sokoto state Malam Yahaya Abdulkareem , Attahiru Bafarawa and Sen Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko and their deputies.
In the last eight years since when the menace manifested in the state, thousands of people have been killed, abducted, or displaced from their Communities.