Sokoto state governor, Aminu Tambuwal has disclosed that his administration has donated 143 operational vehicles and 550 motorcycles to security agencies in less than two years.
He made the disclosure while donating 10 brand new Hilux vans to the vigilante groups in the state on Monday.
The gesture is to assist the vigilante groups in order to conduct surveillance and intelligence gathering that will facilitate the work of security agencies in boosting their efforts in the renewed thrust by the state government to checkmate banditry, kidnapping and sundry criminality.
The state government also provided the groups with uniforms and monthly allowances as well as other logistics to enhance the effective discharge of their duty.
Tambuwal also commended the leadership of the vigilante groups for their sacrifices, commitment and support to the security agencies in the state.
He cautioned the vigilante to ensure that their operational conduct is guided by security agencies in the state at all times, just as he also warned that no form of armed volunteering (‘Yan Sa Kai) would be tolerated by the government.
While urging citizens of the state wishing to join the vigilante groups to come forward for screening, Tambuwal thanked religious leaders and traditional rulers for their support and cooperation to the security agencies in the state.
ASHENEWS recalls that Tambuwal donated 98 vehicles that were distributed to all the security agencies in the state on June 3, 2020; 50 Boxer (C125) motorcycles to the 26 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Sokoto 26 days after and 15 patrol vehicles out the 25 purchased for similar purpose to the Nigeria Police eight months later.
The state Commissioner of Police, Kamaluddeen Kolawale expressed gratitude to the governor for the gesture, noting that it is in line with the notion of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) on community policing.
He also assured that the Police will work hand in hand with the vigilante in the state.