From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
Sokoto State Government has handed over 20 Hilux vans and 710 motorcycles to the newly established Community Guard Corps in the state.
The Special adviser to the Governor on Security matters, retired Col. Abdul Usman handed over the vehicles and motorcycles to the Commanders of the 13 local government areas offices of the corps with high cases of banditry at the state headquarters of the corps.
Represented by the Director, Administration Department of Security Matters, Almustafa Sayudi, the S A said the vehicles are meant to further equip the corps to penetrate into the nooks and crannies of their communities.
Abubakar Bawa, Press Secretary to
Sokoto State Governor, in a statement issued on Wednesday, further stated that Usman was the view to protecting them from any form of threats by the bandits.
He charged the personnel of the corps to ensure that the vehicles and motorcycles were judiciously used.
“These vehicles and motorcycles are not for personal use, but for official use only.
“Remember that the government spent a huge amount of money to purchase these vehicles and motorcycles, so ensure their proper utilization and routine maintenance,” Abdul appealed.
He also restated the present administration’s readiness to secure the state at all times.
He urged, “Let me remind the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps that your role is complementary; you are expected to complement the conventional security outfits to safeguard our rural dwellers.”
Col. Abdul also appealed for support from the rural communities, especially in the 13 most affected local government areas, so that the members of the corps could perform their duties with due diligence.
Also speaking, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Matters, Ibrahim Dadi Adare, said special funds have been set aside for the proper maintenance of the vehicles.
Represented by the Director of Local Government Matters, Bello Musa, the Commissioner assured the local government’s support to ensure that the corps succeeds in discharging its duties.
The state Commander of the
Corps retired Col. Musa Na Allah Idris, assured the state government that the vehicles would be properly maintained.
The commander also expressed confidence that with the training given to the personnel of the corps, they would put in their best to rid the state of banditry and appealed for support from all sundry in that regard.
It could be recalled that the Sokoto State Government established the Community Guard Corps in line with a resolution by the North-West Governors’ Forum to establish the state’s Community Watch Corps to checkmate the activities of bandits that have been terrorizing the zone.
Kastina State was the first to launch the programme, followed by Zamfara State and, subsequently, Sokoto State.
With this happy development, analysts believe that the rampant bandits’ attack would reduce in the North-West zone.
