Sokoto Passes Out 1,550 Security Marshals Amid Rising Insecurity

The Sokoto State Government on Thursday graduated no fewer than 1,550 operatives of the Sokoto State Marshals Agency, SOSMA, in a bid to bolster the security of lives and property of the people of the state.

The Ekiti State governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, was the Special Guest of Honour at the historic event, which featured, for the first time, a set of 70 female operatives.

The new Marshals are in four categories: environmental, security and intelligence, traffic management, and those who will be guarding public infrastructure.

Speaking at the event, Governor Biodun Oyebanji described Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko as a true leader and respected elder of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the country.

While expressing gratitude to Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto for giving him the rare opportunity to visit Sokoto State for the first time, Oyebanji said he has tremendous respect for his Sokoto State colleague.

According to Oyebanji, the training of the new Marshals is a testament to the Sokoto State Government’s determination to promote sustainable peace, security and national unity.

The Ekiti State governor also extolled the visionary leadership and unwavering commitment of Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto to safeguarding the lives and property of the people of the state.

He expressed hope that the new Marshals would complement the efforts of conventional security agencies in enhancing the safety and security of the people of the state.

Oyebanji added that the initiative would also support the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in combating criminality across Nigeria.

He further commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto for his sustained support in ensuring the success of all the programmes and policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Also speaking, Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto thanked Oyebanji for honouring his invitation. He reiterated his unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property of all law-abiding citizens of the state.

The Sokoto State governor further promised to provide all the necessary vehicles, motorcycles and other equipment needed to bolster the operations of the new Marshals, who will be deployed across the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.

Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto said they would work alongside their senior colleagues, operatives of the Sokoto State Community Guards Corps and various security agencies to adequately safeguard the lives and property of the people of the state.

While acknowledging the sustained moral support of the APC leader in the state, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, to his administration, Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto urged the Marshals to be good ambassadors of their families and LGAs.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his relentless efforts to protect the lives and property of the people of the state, as well as his numerous programmes and policies aimed at boosting the well-being of citizens across the country.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, also applauded the efforts of the state government in guaranteeing the safety of lives and property of the people of the state, insisting that security is a collective responsibility of all Nigerians.

The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Bello Sifawa, vowed that the incumbent administration is not handling the issue of security with kid gloves. He said, “The administration is expending huge amounts of money routinely in this direction.”

The security consultant who coordinated the training, retired Lt.-Gen. Shehu Ya’u, commended the governor for reposing tremendous confidence in him. He said the new Marshals were thoroughly trained to effectively handle a myriad of security issues in society.

The historic event was attended by the former governor of the state and senator representing Sokoto North Senatorial District, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko; the Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tukur Bala Bodinga; National and State Assembly members from both Sokoto and Ekiti States, among other dignitaries.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards and prizes to Marshals who distinguished themselves during the training.