Join fight against banditry, DIG urges Sokoto leaders, youths

Sokoto State leaders, including traditional and religious figures, along with community groups and youths, are being urged by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) to play a more active role in the fight against banditry and arms trafficking.

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The fight against insecurity cannot be won by security agencies alone. While our officers remain on the frontline confronting criminal elements, lasting peace can only be achieved when communities actively support law enforcement through vigilance, timely information sharing and collective responsibility.

Suleiman Muhammad Abdul, the DIG in charge of Administration and Finance and coordinating police activities in the Northwest, stated during a stakeholders' engagement that security agencies cannot win the battle against insecurity alone. He stressed that lasting peace depends on active community support through vigilance and timely information sharing, emphasizing that security is a shared responsibility.

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Sokoto occupies a unique strategic position in Nigeria’s security architecture. Its extensive border with the Niger Republic presents both opportunities and challenges, particularly in relation to arms trafficking, movement of criminal elements and other transnational crimes.

The DIG pointed out Sokoto's strategic significance, bordering Niger Republic and serving as the seat of the Sokoto Caliphate. This position makes its border communities vulnerable to cross-border crimes and the movement of armed groups. He called upon traditional rulers to enhance grassroots intelligence networks, religious leaders to preach peace and discourage violence, and youths to resist recruitment by criminal gangs.

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Traditional institutions remain the closest link to the people. We urge our revered traditional rulers to continue providing credible intelligence and mobilising their communities against criminal activities.

Abdul reiterated the Nigeria Police Force's commitment to community policing, intelligence-led operations, and close collaboration with residents to improve security across Sokoto and the wider Northwest region. He described community policing as a vital tool for crime prevention and partnerships with citizens as essential for collective security.

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Religious leaders must continue to preach peace, tolerance and respect for the law, while our youths must reject the lure of criminality and become ambassadors of peace in their communities.