Kaduna Deepens Community Security Strategy in Kajuru LGA

The Kaduna State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening community-based security initiatives through enhanced collaboration among security agencies, traditional institutions, religious leaders, and grassroots stakeholders.

The Special Adviser to Governor Uba Sani on Vigilance and Local Security Coordination, Yusuf Usman Garba, stated this on Friday during the Expanded Stakeholders' Security Dialogue held in Kasuwan Magani, Kajuru Local Government Area.

Garba said the engagement formed part of the state's broader strategy to deepen community participation in security management and strengthen cooperation among key actors in the fight against crime and insecurity.

According to him, the dialogue brought together security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community development associations, youth groups, women representatives, and civil society organisations to review security developments and identify practical solutions to emerging threats.

He commended the Kajuru Local Government Council for convening the meeting, describing it as a timely initiative that would help consolidate the gains already recorded in improving security across the area.

The governor's aide noted that the administration of Governor Uba Sani had continued to provide operational support and logistics to security agencies to enhance their capacity to combat criminal activities across Kaduna State.

As part of efforts to strengthen the state's security architecture, Garba disclosed that the government had recruited 1,000 forest guards to complement conventional security agencies in tackling banditry, kidnapping, and other crimes, particularly in forests and hard-to-reach communities.

He also revealed that another 1,000 personnel of the Kaduna State Vigilance Service were currently undergoing training at the Police College, Kaduna, to improve professionalism, intelligence gathering, and operational effectiveness.

"The training is expected to enhance their operational capacity and strengthen collaboration with the police and other security agencies across the 23 local government areas of the state," he said.

Garba added that the government was pursuing peacebuilding initiatives, agricultural support programmes, economic revitalisation efforts, and infrastructure projects as part of measures aimed at addressing the root causes of insecurity.

He assured stakeholders that resolutions reached during the dialogue would be implemented, stressing that mechanisms had been put in place to ensure follow-up and measurable outcomes.

"We are committed to ensuring that these resolutions are implemented and translated into meaningful results. Our goal is to ensure that communities feel the impact of government's efforts in promoting peace, security, and development," he stated.

Earlier, the Chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area, Hon. Dauda Madaki, said the security situation across the local government had improved considerably but cautioned against complacency.

According to him, the dialogue was organised to bring together opinion leaders and stakeholders to assess prevailing security concerns and collectively identify sustainable solutions capable of guaranteeing lasting peace.

"The security challenges confronting our communities are real and deeply concerning. However, they are not permanent. Communities that choose unity over division, cooperation over conflict, and dialogue over violence emerge stronger and more prosperous," he said.

Madaki stressed that security remained a shared responsibility and urged residents to support security agencies through vigilance, intelligence sharing, and prompt reporting of suspicious activities.

He noted that the onset of the farming season made security even more critical, as farmers needed safe access to their farmlands while businesses and other economic activities depended on a peaceful environment.

The chairman disclosed that security agencies had intensified operations in areas previously regarded as flashpoints, resulting in improved safety and greater freedom of movement for residents.

While acknowledging that no society was entirely free from crime, he maintained that the level of insecurity had reduced significantly compared to previous years.

Madaki also praised Governor Uba Sani for supporting efforts aimed at restoring peace in Kajuru and other parts of the state.

He announced that the stakeholders' security dialogue would become a monthly engagement platform aimed at strengthening collaboration between communities and security agencies.

Speaking shortly after the meeting, the Agwom Kufana, Mr. Titus Dauda, commended the Kaduna State Government for promoting community-based security engagements and creating a platform for stakeholders to discuss prevailing security concerns.

The traditional ruler acknowledged that security had improved considerably across many communities but noted that some challenges still required urgent attention.

He particularly highlighted the poor state of roads in parts of the chiefdom, stressing that bad road networks often delayed the deployment of security personnel during emergencies.

Dauda appealed to the state government to accelerate ongoing road rehabilitation projects, noting that improved infrastructure would not only enhance security operations but also promote socio-economic development.

He also expressed concern over the activities of informants aiding criminal elements and pledged that traditional institutions would intensify sensitisation efforts to discourage the practice and strengthen local vigilance.

Similarly, the member representing Kajuru Local Government Area in the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Hon. Usman Danlami, commended Governor Uba Sani for facilitating the expanded stakeholders' security dialogue.

Danlami described the meeting as timely and productive, saying it provided stakeholders with an opportunity to identify communities still experiencing security challenges despite the remarkable improvements recorded across the local government.

"Compared to previous years, the security situation has improved considerably. However, there are still a few challenges in some communities, and this meeting has given us the opportunity to bring those concerns to the attention of the local government and security agencies for prompt action," he said.

The lawmaker appealed to the state government to prioritise the rehabilitation and construction of critical roads across Kajuru, arguing that poor road networks often hinder swift security responses in remote communities.

He also urged residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible intelligence and remaining vigilant against individuals collaborating with criminal elements.

According to him, lasting peace can only be achieved when communities, traditional institutions, government authorities, and security agencies work together towards a common objective.