CP Shaffa Tours Frontline Divisions, Intensifies Community Policing Against Banditry in Sokoto
The Commissioner of Police in Sokoto State, CP Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, has embarked on an operational tour of key divisional headquarters across the state as part of renewed efforts to strengthen community policing, improve operational readiness, and confront rising security threats linked to armed banditry and the Lakurawa group.
The tour, conducted in line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, covered the Gidan Madi, Gudu, Binji, and Wamakko Divisions—areas considered critical to ongoing security operations due to recent attacks and criminal activities around border communities and neighbouring states.
During the visits, CP Shaffa carried out on-the-spot assessments of police formations, inspected operational facilities, evaluated personnel readiness, and reviewed the welfare conditions of officers serving in the affected areas.
Addressing officers and men at the various divisions, the police commissioner stressed the need for proactive, intelligence-driven, and community-oriented policing strategies to counter emerging security threats.
He warned officers against complacency, urging them to maintain high levels of vigilance and strict adherence to security protocols within their areas of responsibility.
“The resurgence of armed banditry and the Lakurawa menace in neighbouring areas demands that we operate with the highest level of professionalism and community engagement,” CP Shaffa stated during the tour.
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“You must prioritise the safety of your stations and the public we serve. There will be no tolerance for complacency.”
The commissioner also directed divisional officers to intensify confidence-building patrols, strengthen surveillance around critical infrastructure, and ensure that police formations are adequately secured against possible attacks by criminal groups.
Security observers note that the operational tour reflects a broader policing strategy aimed at increasing police visibility, improving grassroots intelligence gathering, and deepening collaboration between security agencies and local communities in combating insecurity across the North-West.
The renewed push for community-based policing comes amid growing concerns over the activities of armed groups and cross-border criminal networks operating in parts of Sokoto and neighbouring states.
CP Shaffa reiterated the commitment of the Sokoto State Police Command to the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, which prioritises stronger police-community relations as a critical tool for crime prevention and public safety.
He further appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information capable of aiding ongoing operations against criminal elements.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Sokoto State Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, confirmed the development in a statement issued to journalists, noting that the command remains committed to restoring public confidence and enhancing security across the state.
By PRNigeria
