Chairman, Sokoto State Community Guard Corps, Yusha’u Kebbe, has said the corps will collaborate with other community policing organisations to address cross-border banditry and kidnapping in the North West.

Mr Kebbe said in an interview in Sokoto that building synergy with other security organisations would ensure rapid response to banditry, kidnapping and other crimes within the state.

He explained that the corps was set up by states in the zone to complement efforts of conventional security agencies to restore peace and harmony.

”The community guard corps is not a rival nor a substitute to the existing conventional security operatives and would always work in line with stipulated laws,” he added.

He said that recruitment has started of the 2000 personnel to serve in the newly established corps in Sokoto State, who would be trained by the Army and Police. The two months training is on weapons handling, public relations, psychological warfare, intelligence gathering and how to prevent accidental discharge, among others,” he said.

According to him, the light weapons to be used by the community guards will be under the custody of Divisional Police Officers in each local government area.

“They must take instructions from the Army and other security operatives attached to work with them,” he added.

(NAN)