In a strategic move aimed at strengthening security in Zamfara State, Governor Dauda Lawal has officially approved the appointment of retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Dr. Muhammad Shehu Dalijan, as the new State Commandant of the Community Protection Guards (CPG). The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Malam Abubakar Mohammad Nakwada, confirmed the appointment, emphasizing that it takes effect immediately. Alongside this appointment, Governor Lawal has instructed a comprehensive restructuring of the Community Protection Guards, targeting operational and administrative reforms to enhance the agency’s efficiency and service delivery across the state. Experienced Leadership at the Helm According to a statement by Suleman Ahmad Tudu, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the SSG, Dr. Dalijan brings over 30 years of experience in policing, security management, and leadership. His expertise spans community engagement, counter-terrorism operations, and strategic security planning, making him highly qualified to lead the CPG. Dr. Dalijan previously served as Commissioner of Police in Zamfara State from 2023 to 2025, where he played a crucial role in tackling security challenges within the state. His extensive career also includes significant national appointments, such as: Before his retirement in June 2025, Dr. Dalijan served as Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Counter-Terrorism at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, contributing significantly to national security strategy and counter-terrorism operations. Governor Lawal’s Vision for Security Reform Governor Lawal expressed confidence in Dr. Dalijan’s deep knowledge of Zamfara’s security landscape and terrain, highlighting that this appointment will reposition the Community Protection Guards to effectively fulfill their mandate. This aligns with the administration’s broader security and rescue agenda, aimed at curbing insecurity and enhancing community safety. The governor also commended the outgoing commandant for his dedicated service, wishing him a speedy recovery and reaffirming the government’s continued support for all personnel within the Community Protection Guards. This strategic appointment is expected to strengthen local security structures, improve coordination with law enforcement agencies, and enhance public trust in community-based policing initiatives.
In a significant development in the ongoing fight against armed criminal gangs in northwestern Nigeria, the Zamfara State Government has announced a decisive win against notorious bandits following a well-coordinated security operation conducted earlier this week. The statement was made public by Alhaji Ahmad Manga, Special Adviser on Security Matters to Governor Dauda Lawal, during an interview with the BBC Hausa service on Thursday. Manga revealed that the high-risk operation carried out on Monday targeted one of the most dangerous and elusive criminal leaders in the region. “We give thanks to God. He was finally discovered in his stronghold — a remote and previously unreachable location. For the first time, he realized he’s not invincible,” Manga disclosed. According to him, the operation marked a turning point in Zamfara’s security campaign, with heavily armed security personnel launching an intense assault that inflicted severe casualties on the bandit group. “Many of his loyal fighters were eliminated. The losses were so heavy even the bandit leader couldn’t count how many men he lost,” Manga emphasized. “Most of the bodies recovered from the operation site belonged to his foot soldiers.” Among the major incidents during the confrontation was the fatal crash involving Bashari Maniya, a once-dreaded bandit who had since renounced criminality and had been assisting security forces with intelligence. Maniya died after the vehicle he was traveling in crashed into a deep ditch while trying to escape through the forest during the operation. To dispel rumors, Manga clarified that Maniya’s death wasn’t due to enemy bullets. “It was a newly acquired vehicle, and the driver was unfamiliar with the forest terrain. As they sped through, the vehicle suddenly plunged into a ditch resembling a deep well. It somersaulted uncontrollably. It was the accident — not gunfire — that led to his demise,” he explained. Despite being equipped with bulletproof capabilities, the vehicle could not protect its occupants from the impact of the crash. Security backup teams later discovered the passengers unconscious inside the wrecked vehicle. Ahmad Manga reiterated that Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration remains fully committed to capturing Bello Turji, the infamous bandit kingpin, who has long terrorized communities in Zamfara, especially in the Shinkafi axis. “We are determined, by God’s grace, to continue pursuing him until he is captured. People from Shinkafi and surrounding areas remember the atrocities Turji committed over the past 14 years. But this time, the difference is clear — even Turji knows it. This was the closest any security team has ever come to him — right inside his residence,” Manga revealed. He added that the Zamfara State Government will intensify the pressure by deploying additional military forces to maintain the momentum of the current crackdown and ensure that Turji and his collaborators face justice. Independent reports from local and national sources confirmed that during the intense confrontation, Turji managed to escape capture by fleeing into hiding. However, the outcome of the operation is widely seen as the strongest indication yet that the security dragnet is tightening around him.
