Former Deputy Governor Abdullmalik Mahmud has pledged to ensure that communities do not harbour criminals, by focusing on community policing, intelligence gathering, and proactive security measures.

Mr Mahmud made the pledge while responding to his appointment as chair of the Police Community Relations Committee, Zone ‘A’ by the national chairman of the committee, Ibrahim Olaniyi. The zone comprises Bauchi and Gombe.

Mr Mahmud said the committee would identify flashpoints in Bauchi communities and strengthen cooperation with security agencies to ensure a safe environment. He also pledged to promote active partnership between residents and law enforcement to set local security priorities.

Mr Mahmud also announced that the committee would ensure that hectares of land are made available for police officers who would want to participate in the 2026 rainy season farming activities.

Mr Olaniyi said the former deputy governor’s appointment and smooth operations of the PCRC were made possible by the leadership style of the inspector general of police Olatunji Disu.

Mr Olaniyi noted that the IGP had demonstrated strong leadership by deploying capable officers to strategic positions, adding that the assistant Iinspector gneral of police in the zone had continued to earn public trust through professionalism and community engagement.

He commended Mr Mahmud and other stakeholders in the zone for supporting community policing efforts and collaborating with security agencies to tackle crime in the two states.

“With the former deputy governor, who understands the terrain and has served the people, we are confident that criminal activities will be tackled effectively,” he said.

(NAN)