….as 1,350 special constabulary strengthens force
By Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto
Zamfara State Governor , Bello Muhammad Mutawallen Maradun has said that nothing will deter him from pursuing the course of ensuring the security of lives and property of citizens in the state , pointing out that ” no investment is too much as far as the security of lives and property is concerned”
The governor also reiterated that the state government was still committed to pursuing peace and dialogue with those ready and sincerely set for the option in order to restore normalcy across the state.
Governor Bello who reiterated the commitment on Friday in Sokoto at the passing out ceremony of the 1,350 Batch ‘A’ special constabulary police including five women from the state after a month training exercise at the Police Training School, Sokoto, said his administration will sustain its support to security agencies on the onslaught against banditry and other crimes of devastating effects to public peace.
He noted that for years, the state had been under siege of banditry attacks, stating that ” this is a great opportunity to further strengthen our security through community policing and responsive intelligence gathering.”
He described the initiative of the FG and IGP as a testimony and determination to address the various facets of insecurity.
” If not for this Presidential initiative anchored by the IGP, it will be difficult for other security operatives to understand the terrains better than indigenes. It will
boost the drive towards wiping out all sort of criminals and insecurity frequency in the country”, he pointed out.
The Governor disclosed that the state will after the entire training periods of special constabulary police in Sokoto and Kaduna, no fewer than 7,500 will be engaged across the state to complement the duties of conventional police in the areas of intelligence gathering , boost public confidence and
better community relations with security agencies.
He cautioned the graduands against taking laws into their hands while pointing out that ” this is a golden opportunity for you to serve your communities in the best way as trained.”
Accordingly, he reminded them of the duty to respect human rights in the course of providing the critical services.
While noting the socio-economic impact of recruiting them, the governor said it will ho a long way to reduce and fight redundancy , job creation and fast track engagement of the youth in peace and security matters concerning the state and the country as a whole.
Earlier, AIG zone 10, Muhammad Mustapha who stood in for the IGP, said the training was part of government’s initiative to unveil a responsive and strategic community policing operations across the country.
He described as effective the direction taken by government , adding ” is a demonstration of its commitment and efforts from the government to change the narrative as well deepen its approach towards better security in the country. “
According to him ” it is a new lease of hope to partner with the civil public to provide security services across the grass roots .
In his opening remarks, Commandant of the Training School, Kabiru Muhammad noted that the training was a huge boost that will not have come at a better time than now when Zamfara state and other parts of the country were troubled by multi faceted crimes of banditry, kidnappings among others.
He explained that the 1,350 special constabulary police went through basic
training which in turn would be deployed to Zamfara for duties across their respective communities to serve under the primary supervision of the regular police.
He commended Governor Mutawalle and the police for initiating the synergy towards the protection of lives and property of citizens in the state and country in general.
