Sokoto Police, ALGON, Judiciary partner to tackle insecurity, ensure peaceful 2027 polls

Sokoto Police, ALGON, Judiciary partner to tackle insecurity, ensure peaceful 2027 polls

From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto

 The Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, CP Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, has said proactive engagement with communities and political stakeholders is critical to securing the state ahead of the 2027 general elections amid rising security threats.

CP Shaffa spoke on Wednesday in Sokoto at a security workshop organized for local governments Chairmen and stakeholders across the state.

Our Correspondent in Sokoto reports that the workshop was organised by the Nigeria Police Force, Judiciary and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) across the country.

He said the timing of the workshop was crucial because Sokoto is facing increasing security challenges including banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities.

“We have had meetings with political parties in the state. The electioneering has started and some campaigns are already on.

“So, we have to start thinking outside the box so that things will work,” he said.

The CP noted that unlike some neighboring states, Sokoto does not have established bandit camps, but expressed concern that criminals may now be trying to settle in some localities.

“Most of the time they come in, operate and flee. But now, we are afraid that they may be settling in some of our localities. And this is the beginning,” he warned.

He said the target of the criminals are vulnerable communities, especially those with livestock.

“Their target is always animals. If you don’t rear animals they will never come.

” So, if you have animals, know the location and ensure enough vigilance and get the police informed. Police will always be there to assist you,” he said.

CP Shaffa stressed that security agencies cannot succeed without community cooperation.

“There is nothing that the security agencies will do without your cooperation.

“A stranger cannot come in and strike in our homes and go out without the connivance of our people. We have some bad ones amongst us and they are the ones inviting them,” he said.

He urged communities to profile strangers, monitor vigilante groups, and report suspicious persons to the police and the DSS.

“Get the committed ones that will help. If you see a new face within the community, call us

“Let’s profile this person. Police will always be there to profile the vigilantes because some of them are not good too,” Shaffa added.

He said with the rainy season and elections approaching, the command wants elections to take place in all parts of the state without any area being left out.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Tambuwal Local Government Area and Sokoto State ALGON Chairman, Alhaji Abba Shehu Tambuwal, said the partnership between ALGON and the police was timely.

“This is a very important national workshop. It is not only ALGON. You can see even the judiciary. This is nationwide,” he said.

Alhaji Tambuwal said no local government area in the state can be exempted from security challenges and assured that chairmen would come up with a strong action plan to support police and other security agencies to fight banditry.

“As you have heard the discussions and the deliberations, including what the Commissioner of Police has said, we will meet after this session to come out with a very strong modality that we are going to help the police and other security agencies,” he said.

He commended the CP for the initiative and urged stakeholders to put the outcomes of the workshop to use for the benefit of the people.