By Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto

SOKOTO — In a move to strengthen grassroots security in Sokoto State, the KUKAH Centre has launched a training initiative for 200 members of the state’s Community Guards.

The programme aims to enhance the guards’ capacity and efficiency, fostering improved collaboration with conventional security agencies for better protection of lives and property.

Speaking at the launch, the Director of the KUKAH Centre, Rev. Fr. Atta Barkindo, PhD, reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to driving positive change since its establishment in 2008. He said the Centre continues to advocate good governance, interfaith dialogue, knowledge sharing, and documentation of Nigeria’s national experiences to shape future policies and avoid past mistakes.

Rev. Fr. Barkindo identified poverty, unemployment, injustice, and widespread desperation as the root causes of insecurity in the Northwest and other parts of northern Nigeria. He lamented that over 2.2 million Nigerians have been displaced by violence, including banditry, kidnapping, farmer-herder clashes, and insurgency, with an alarming 632,000 deaths recorded across the country in a single year.

He expressed concern over the diminishing trust in formal security institutions, stating that many communities now rely on vigilante groups and informal security outfits. “As a country, where is Nigeria going?” he asked, emphasizing the urgent need to rebuild public confidence and restore effectiveness to the national security framework.

As part of the initiative, the Centre will review the legal framework governing the Sokoto State Community Guards, aiming to address existing gaps and improve operational clarity through targeted training.

Also speaking, the Project Manager, Mr. Tarseer Bamber, highlighted the Centre’s dedication to peacebuilding and social cohesion. He said the programme would empower local security structures and promote unity and mutual support among citizens.

The training represents a significant step toward bridging the gap between formal and informal security agencies, contributing to a safer and more cohesive Nigeria.