Community Development Committee (CDC), a grassroots group supported by Global Rights and Kukah Centre, has trained no fewer than 200 community vigilante members on community policing strategies in Sokoto.

CDC chairman Sani Umar-Jabbi said the training was aimed at strengthening vigilantes’ capacities and understanding and working relationships with the statutory security agencies and community members.

Mr Umar-Jabbi said the participants were drawn from all 23 local government areas of the state, while officers from the police and SSS were engaged in discussions and experience sharing.

He underscored the importance of enhancing community policing strategies among citizens in recognition that the number of security agents policing the communities was few and needed to be complemented by the public.

According to him, vigilantes are community volunteers with no proper training and financial support despite their efforts to safeguard the lives and property of citizens.

Mr Umar-Jabbi enjoined leaders and community groups to support the vigilante groups in their respective domains, stressing that their services were desirable and needed maximum guidance to achieve success.

Peter Daniel of SSS’ Sokoto command dwelled on the information and communication techniques for early warning and community engagement for sustainable information sharing.

Mr Daniel explained that the value of information depended on its credibility, reliability and acceptability, even as he urged community vigilantes to always support security agencies.

According to him, disseminating right and relevant information among community members contributes to public awareness and shapes public focus on security situations.

CSP AbdulAziz Baura, who represented the police commissioner in Sokoto, Hayatu Kaigama, urged participants to always relate with the divisional police officers in their respective areas on security issues.

Mr Baura educated the participants on tactical operations and strategies, the need for harmonisation and synergy between security agencies and vigilante groups, and advocacy and resource mobilisation among vigilante members.

He said vigilante groups had existed since 1870 and contributed to community guards before establishing security agencies like the police.

According to him, vigilante member operations are desirable, adding that more capacity-building training is needed to strengthen their services.

The CDC secretary, Sadiya Bello, who spoke on women’s inclusion for sustainable development and resilience in security issues, called on husbands and community leaders to always understand women’s conditions and ensure their economic empowerment.

Margaret Amadu from Global Rights assured participants of more support in enhancing community engagements.

Ms Amadu commended the organisation and other stakeholders for their commitment to security issues in Sokoto.

The leader of the vigilantes in Sokoto, Muratala Aminu, expressed appreciation for the training, which, he said, would further enhance their activities and solicit more support from government, individuals, and groups.

(NAN)