The Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of Finance and Administration and supervising the North-West, Suleiman Mohammad Abdul, has called on residents of Sokoto State to take greater ownership of security by strengthening community vigilance, intelligence sharing, and collaboration with law enforcement agencies.
Speaking during an interactive meeting with community leaders, civil society organisations, religious leaders, youth groups, and other stakeholders at the Sokoto State Police Command Headquarters, Abdul said the fight against banditry and other forms of criminality cannot be won by security agencies alone.
He stressed that sustainable peace could only be achieved through collective commitment and cooperation between citizens and security institutions.
Describing Sokoto as the historic seat of the Caliphate and a symbol of peace, justice, and communal harmony, the DIG said the state occupies a strategic position in efforts to restore security across the North-West and Nigeria as a whole.
Abdul conveyed the goodwill of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, noting that the police leadership recognises the critical role communities play in combating crime and violence.
“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.
The DIG warned that Sokoto’s extensive international border and vast rural terrain present unique security challenges, including cross-border crimes, illegal arms trafficking, the infiltration of criminal elements, and the activities of informants aiding bandits and other violent groups.
According to him, the Nigeria Police Force is repositioning its relationship with communities around three key priorities: rebuilding public trust, strengthening community-based intelligence gathering, and dismantling criminal networks through active citizen participation.
He urged traditional rulers to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities within their domains, describing them as custodians of culture and leaders closest to the grassroots.
Abdul also appealed to religious leaders to continue promoting peace, condemning violence, and discouraging young people from joining criminal groups or serving as informants for bandits and kidnappers.
Addressing youths, he urged them to shun criminality and channel their energies into productive ventures, community policing initiatives, and neighbourhood watch programmes.
The DIG further challenged members of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) and civil society organisations to deepen public engagement, strengthen trust between citizens and security agencies, and encourage the lawful resolution of grievances.
“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 said.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State Command, Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, described the DIG’s visit as a significant boost to ongoing efforts to enhance operational effectiveness and administrative efficiency within the command.
