As part of efforts to tackle rising insecurity in the state, Sokoto State governor, Ahmed Aliyu, on Saturday, unveiled the newly established Sokoto State Community Guard Corps.
Speaking while launching the corps at Gingiya Memorial Stadium, following their three months of training, the governor charged the corps to ensure that the safety of their various communities of posting was guaranteed.
He said the graduates were selected based on merit, devoid of any political affiliation and was aimed at complementing federal and other conventional security operatives.
The governor, therefore, called on the guards to justify the huge amount invested in them and assured the society of fulfilling all his campaign promises amongst which were security, education, and agriculture among others.
He also expressed dismay over the displacement of thousands of people from their communities to unknown destinations, which he described as the destruction of peace and unity, and a great threat to the country’s economy.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar, in his remarks, said the fight against insecurity should be handled with all seriousness and commitment, not only by the government, but also by the citizens.
He assured that traditional rulers would continue to support governors in their efforts to bring lasting peace to the country
“It is one thing to look at insecurities and another thing to look at what is causing the insecurities.
“A programme like this is in line with the government’s efforts to tackle problems facing the people”, the monarch said.
He noted that those who killed others in the name of going to paradise will never see God, adding that he would never support shedding of innocent blood.
The Sultan called on the government to create an avenue to sustain the corps, while further charging them (corps) not to be compromised in discharging their duties.
“Do not listen to anyone in the discharge of your duty. All you need to do is to ensure whatever you do is in line with your duty and with fear of God.
“Do not let anyone compromise your conscience in the line of duty.” he added.
Katsina State governor and Chairman, North-West Governors Forum, Dr. Dikko Rada, appealed to the state residents to rally around security agents in bringing an end to the issue of banditry in the region.
“I want to assure you here that what you see today is the commitment of the governors that we intend to bring peace back to the entire region of the North.
“You can see governors from Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Benue, Plateau, Bauchi, Kano, among others. This is to tell you that it’s not just about Northwest but peace in the entire Northern region,” Radda noted.
He also stated that the governors in the region had resolved to work together as a force to clear the region of terrorists.
“We have resolved to work together as a team, despite political differences to save our people from the menace of insecurity,” the governor added.
Radda said, “In the fight against banditry, there are no divisions such as All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), but only a unified Northwest.”
He stressed that the well-being and progress of the region were the main concerns of the current leadership in the region.
Radda noted that with the launching of the community protection guards in Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara States, the remaining states of Kebbi, Jigawa, Kano, and Kaduna would follow suit.
He further assured that governors across the entire northern region had resolved to work together in ensuring absolute peace returned to the region.
