The Community Dialogue Committee (CDC), a grassroot group supported by Global Rights and Kukah Center has trained 200 community vigilante members on strategies of community policing strategies in Sokoto state.
Speaking at the occasion, CDC Chairman, Alhaji Sani Umar-Jabbi, said efforts was aimed at strengthening vigilantes capacity, understanding and working relationship between statutory security agencies and community members.
Umar-Jabbi said participants were drawn from Gagi district and surroundings of Dange Shuni LGA
while officers from Nigerian Police and Department of Security Services (DSS) were engaged for discussions and experience sharing.
He underscored the importance of enhancing community policing strategies among Nigerian citizens in recognition that population of security men policing our environments were scarce and needed public to compliment thier services.
According to him, vigilantes were community volunteers having no proper trainings, financial supports and other government considerations despite their efforts in safeguarding peoples lives and properties.
He enjoined leaders and community groups to support vigilante groups in their respective domains, stressing that thier services were desirable and needed guides in order to achieve maximum successes.
In presentation, Mr Peter Daniel from DSS Sokoto command, dwelled on the information and communication techniques for early warning as well as community engagement for sustainable information sharing.
Daniel explained that value of information defended on its credibility, reliability and acceptability and urged community vigilantes to be supporting security agencies at all times.
He said disseminating right and relevant information among community members contribute to public awareness as well as shape public focus on security situations.
CSP AbdulAziz Baura, who represented Sokoto state Police Commissioner, Mr Hayatu Kaigama, urged participants to always relates with thier Divisional Police Officers in thier respective areas on every issues.
Baura educate the participants on tactical operations and strategies, need for harmonization and synergy between security agencies and vigilante groups as well as advocacy and resource mobilization among the vigilante community.
He traced the history of vigilante group that existed since 1870 and contributing to community guards before the establishment of security agencies such as police and others.
According to him, operation of vigilante members were desirable and emphasized that more capacity building training is needed to strengthen thier services.
CDC Secretary, Ms Sadiya Bello, who spoke on women inclusion for sustainable development and resilient in the security issues called husbands and community leaders to understand women conditions and facilitate thier economic empowerments.
Ms Magret Amadu from Global Rights, an NGO, assured more supports on enhancing community engagements and commended CDC as well as other stakeholders in thier committement in Sokoto state.
The state vigilantes leader, Malam Muratala Aminu, expressed appreciation on the efforts that would surely enhance thier activities and solicited for more supports from government, individuals and groups.
The Newsmen reports that the event witnessed questions and answers on different security issues and ways to address call
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