The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Administration and Finance, Suleiman Muhammad Abdul, has appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, youths, and community groups in Sokoto State to work closely with security agencies in combating banditry, arms smuggling, and other criminal activities in the North-West.
Speaking on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting in Sokoto, Abdul stressed that tackling insecurity cannot be left to security agencies alone, noting that community involvement is crucial.
He pointed out that Sokoto’s proximity to the Niger Republic border makes it highly exposed to arms trafficking and other cross-border crimes.
The DIG encouraged traditional rulers to improve grassroots intelligence gathering, while urging religious leaders to continue promoting peace and discouraging violence within their communities. He also advised young people to avoid being lured into criminal activities.
According to him, the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to strengthening community policing and intelligence-based operations to boost security in Sokoto and across the North-West.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Hayatu Usman, disclosed that the command had achieved notable successes in recent operations, including the recovery of weapons and ammunition, rescue of kidnapped victims, arrest of suspects, and retrieval of stolen livestock.
However, he noted that logistical constraints, shortage of personnel, and evolving tactics by criminal groups remain major challenges. He added that the progress recorded so far was largely due to intelligence-led policing and the support of stakeholders in the state.
BACKSTORY…
In recent years, the North-West region of Nigeria has faced persistent insecurity driven largely by banditry, kidnapping, and arms trafficking, with rural communities often bearing the highest impact. These criminal activities have disrupted farming, displaced families, and strained relations between residents and security agencies.
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Suleiman Muhammad Abdul, speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement in Sokoto, emphasized that the fight against these threats cannot be won by security forces alone. He stressed the importance of cooperation between the police and local communities in tackling the growing security challenges.
Sokoto State, which shares a border with the Niger Republic, has remained particularly vulnerable due to cross-border movement of arms and criminal networks. This has made intelligence gathering and community vigilance even more critical in preventing attacks and tracking suspects.
Security stakeholders continue to rely on community policing strategies, where traditional rulers, religious leaders, and youths play active roles in reporting suspicious activities and discouraging recruitment into criminal groups. The engagement in Sokoto reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen this collaborative approach and improve stability across the region.
