As he approaches three years in office as Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State on Security Matters, retired military officer, Col. Ahmed Usman, says community-based intelligence has become a critical tool in the fight against rural insecurity in Sokoto State. In this interview, Usman highlights the administration’s security interventions, the importance of stronger collaboration with local communities and the need for sustained efforts to tackle banditry and other criminal activities. Onuminya Innocent brings the excerpts: You have now spent almost three years in office as Special Adviser on Security Matters. Looking back, what achievements would you say the administration has recorded in the area of security? It is true that it is now almost three years since I was appointed by Governor Ahmed Aliyu. I was among the first set of appointees because the governor considers security a top priority. Security is one of the key pillars of the administration’s 9-Point SMART Agenda, and that demonstrates the importance attached to protecting lives and property. When this government came into office, many sectors had deteriorated, and the security sector was particularly affected. The previous administration had withdrawn most forms of support to security agencies, especially personnel operating in frontline areas. Operational allowances were discontinued, and there was little or no provision of vehicles, equipment, or other logistics required for effective operations. One of the major gaps we met was the absence of a functional platform where security stakeholders could regularly meet to assess threats and develop coordinated responses. The first major step taken by this administration was the establishment of a State Security Committee under the chairmanship of the Deputy Governor, Engr. Idris Mohammed Gobir. The committee includes security chiefs, traditional rulers, and other relevant stakeholders. It meets regularly, and its recommendations have guided many of the security interventions implemented by the government. As a result, the government restored and increased the allowances being paid to security personnel. More importantly, it began addressing the serious shortage of operational vehicles and equipment. Since the inception of this administration, the state has procured and distributed Toyota Hilux patrol vehicles, Toyota Buffalo vehicles, armored personnel carriers, motorcycles, protective gear, and surveillance equipment to security agencies. In the first phase, more than 200 Hilux and Buffalo vehicles and 250 motorcycles were provided. To mark the governor’s third anniversary in office, the administration procured 62 additional armored vehicles, 320 motorcycles, bulletproof helmets and vests, night-vision devices, thermal imaging equipment, security kits, and other advanced operational tools at a cost of about N27.6 billion. And just last Thursday, Governor Ahmed Aliyu approved N1.7b for the purchase of 1000 Bajaj motorcycles to enhance security across the state. These assets were distributed to security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve mobility, and enhance operations against banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and other violent crimes. In addition, the government provided 40 Hilux vehicles and 700 motorcycles for the Sokoto State Community Guards Corps which was the initiative of this administration, and which has become an important complementary security outfit supporting conventional security agencies, especially in rural communities. Similarly, this administration constructed military barracks in Illela and a Mobile Police Barracks in Tangaza Local Government Area, operationalised the Nigerian Air Force 119 Composite Group Base in Sokoto, enhanced the communication and surveillance capabilities of the Department of State Services, and provided housing units for security personnel as part of efforts to improve welfare and operational efficiency. Forest guards were not left out, as they have also continued to receive sustained support from the state government as part of efforts to strengthen security operations across the state. I believe these interventions represent one of the most significant security investments made by any state government in Nigeria in recent years. Beyond the procurement of equipment and logistics, we have also recorded concrete operational successes since coming on board. Through coordinated operations involving the military, police, DSS, NSCDC, and local security outfits, 70 kidnapped victims were rescued from January to date, 63 victims were rescued in 2025, while 20 victims were rescued in 2024. In addition, several rustled animals were recovered and returned to their rightful owners, while a number of bandits and other armed criminals were neutralized during security operations carried out across different parts of the state during the period under
Don't miss out on breaking stories and in-depth articles.
