From Muhammad Gazali Garba
Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening security and empowering young people with the passing-out parade of the second batch of 1,550 Sokoto Marshals, describing the initiative as a major step towards enhancing public safety and creating sustainable employment opportunities across the state.
The colourful ceremony, attended by the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, who served as the Special Guest of Honour, attracted traditional rulers, senior government officials, security chiefs and other dignitaries.
In his remarks, Governor Ahmed Aliyu said the recruitment of the 1,550 marshals from all the 23 Local Government Areas of the State formed part of his administration’s youth empowerment agenda and determination to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies in safeguarding lives and property.
He disclosed that the recruits underwent intensive training in Security and Intelligence, Traffic Management, Environmental Protection, and the Protection of Government Infrastructure to prepare them for effective service.
The Governor recalled that the Sokoto Marshals initiative was first introduced during the administration of his mentor and political leader, Distinguished Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, but had remained dormant for years without fresh recruitment.
He said his administration revived the programme to provide employment opportunities for youths while strengthening the state’s security architecture.
Governor Aliyu explained that the agency now operates under Sokoto State Law No. 5 of 2026 and assured that his administration would continue to provide operational vehicles, communication gadgets and other logistics necessary for effective service delivery.
According to him, the marshals will be deployed to markets, motor parks, business districts, public institutions and other strategic locations across the state to support intelligence gathering, traffic management, environmental sanitation and the protection of government infrastructure.
He expressed satisfaction that the current recruitment included female marshals for the first time, describing the development as a demonstration of his administration’s commitment to gender inclusion and equal opportunities in public service.
The Governor charged the newly graduated marshals to discharge their responsibilities with discipline, integrity and professionalism, warning them against intimidation, extortion and abuse of members of the public.
He also directed the Commandant to deploy them to security flashpoints and other critical areas across the state.
Governor Aliyu further highlighted the establishment of the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps as part of his administration’s efforts to strengthen grassroots security, revealing that additional recruitment was being considered to consolidate the successes already recorded.
He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Federal Government’s continued support in addressing security challenges across the country and paid glowing tribute to Distinguished Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko for conceiving the Sokoto Marshals initiative.
He also commended the Commandant, training consultant, instructors and all members of the training team for their commitment to producing disciplined and competent personnel.
Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour, the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, congratulated Governor Ahmed Aliyu for what he described as a bold and visionary initiative that addresses two critical national challenges—youth unemployment and insecurity.
He noted that the Sokoto Marshals programme demonstrates that meaningful investment in young people can significantly contribute to peace, stability and socio-economic development while complementing the efforts of conventional security agencies.
Governor Oyebanji described the graduation of the second batch of marshals as evidence of Governor Aliyu’s commitment to protecting lives and property through proactive and community-based security initiatives.
He said responsible community security structures have become increasingly important in supporting intelligence gathering, crime prevention and the protection of public infrastructure, adding that the Sokoto Marshals initiative stands as a model worthy of emulation by other states.
The Ekiti Governor also commended the inclusion of women in the agency for the first time, describing it as a progressive step that promotes gender inclusion and broadens participation in public service.
He urged the newly graduated marshals to justify the confidence reposed in them by serving with honesty, discipline, professionalism and respect for the rule of law.
Governor Oyebanji thanked Governor Ahmed Aliyu, the Sultan of Sokoto and the people of the state for the warm reception accorded to him and his delegation, expressing optimism that the cordial relationship between Sokoto and Ekiti States would continue to grow.
He also prayed for sustained peace, unity and prosperity in Sokoto State.
Earlier, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, described the graduation ceremony as another historic milestone in the state’s efforts to promote youth empowerment and strengthen community security.
The Sultan said the initiative had taken more than 1,500 young people off the streets, equipped them with valuable skills and provided them with meaningful employment, describing it as an investment in the future of the state’s youth.
He commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his visionary leadership in reviving and strengthening the Sokoto Marshals, noting that the programme would significantly complement existing security efforts across the state.
The revered monarch also praised the training consultant and instructors for producing disciplined and well-trained personnel within a short period, saying the parade was a reflection of the quality of training received by the graduates.
The Sultan observed that the Sokoto Marshals share similar community policing principles with the Amotekun Corps in the South-West and expressed hope that both organisations would collaborate and exchange ideas to improve security nationwide.
He urged Governor Oyebanji to share the positive experiences he witnessed in Sokoto, stressing that the state remains peaceful, welcoming and hospitable to people of all ethnic and religious backgrounds, contrary to negative narratives often portrayed on social media.
Delivering his remarks, the training consultant, retired Colonel Shehu Ya’u, disclosed that the newly graduated marshals had been organised into three operational departments comprising Security and Intelligence, Traffic Control and Management, and Environmental Protection and Sanitation.
He explained that the Environmental Protection Department would work closely with the Ministry of Environment to enforce sanitation regulations, prevent illegal construction, protect drainage systems and promote a cleaner and healthier environment across the state.
According to him, the personnel possess the capacity to contribute meaningfully to the development of Sokoto State and also support lawful revenue generation through the effective discharge of their statutory responsibilities.
Colonel Ya’u said Governor Ahmed Aliyu directed him to identify and train the best candidates from across the 23 Local Government Areas, adding that the quality, discipline and competence displayed by the graduates reflected the successful implementation of that mandate.
He commended the inspectors and instructors for their commitment throughout the training programme and appreciated Dr. A. A. Ladan for his support and cooperation, which contributed immensely to the success of the exercise.
Meanwhile, as part of his visit to Sokoto State, the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, also commissioned the newly completed Gidan Fulani Road project executed by the administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu. He commended the quality of the project and described the Governor’s ongoing investment in road infrastructure as a clear demonstration of his commitment to improving the living conditions of the people and accelerating socio-economic development across the State.
The high point of the ceremony was the inspection of the parade by the Special Guest of Honour, the presentation of awards to outstanding trainees, the decoration of exceptional graduates and the official passing-out of the 1,550 Sokoto Marshals, who are expected to be deployed to various parts of the State to commence their duties in support of security, environmental protection and traffic management.
