Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to community-based security after inspecting 500 vigilantes and hunters participating in a tactical refresher training in Kalgo Local Government Area.
The exercise is part of the state’s wider effort to reinforce local security networks and ease pressure on conventional security agencies amid persistent threats such as banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling across the North-West.
Addressing the trainees during the inspection, Governor Idris said the decision to train vigilantes was informed by the limited manpower available to federal security formations operating in the state.
“Our security agencies are doing their best, but they are clearly overstretched, these vigilantes have been trained to work alongside them and support security operations at the community level.”the governors said.
He encouraged the participants to apply the skills acquired during the programme with discipline and a strong sense of responsibility when deployed to their respective localities.
The governor revealed that a total of 3,000 vigilantes have been cleared for training across Kebbi State, noting that the programme is being implemented in phases of 500 trainees per batch to ensure efficiency.
“We want to get this right, which is why the training is being conducted in manageable numbers,” Idris explained.
He also announced that women would be considered in future batches, stressing that inclusive participation is essential to effective intelligence gathering and community policing.
Governor Idris assured that the state government would continue to provide allowances, operational logistics and oversight to sustain the programme.
“Our goal is to create a secure environment where residents can go about their lives without fear,” he said.
The trainees, selected from all 21 local government areas of the state, completed a 14-day refresher course covering minor combat tactics, intelligence collection, human rights, first aid, weapon management and communication signals.
Facilitators for the training were drawn from the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Army Legion and the Vigilante Group of Nigeria.
Kebbi joins several states in the North-West and North Central zones that have turned to community security outfits to strengthen early-warning mechanisms and improve rapid response in vulnerable areas.
Soon after taking office, the Idris administration adopted the model and obtained Federal Government clearance allowing trained vigilantes to officially support established security agencies.
Officials say the strategy is designed to address security gaps, particularly in remote communities where formal security presence remains limited.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, retired Colonel Danladi Ribah Zuru, said the ongoing training builds on an earlier exercise conducted under the previous administration but with enhanced content and coordination.
“This phase reflects improved planning and stronger welfare support,” Ribah Zuru said, describing the initiative as a major milestone in the state’s security drive.
He disclosed that the governor approved the provision of 32 operational vehicles, 511 motorcycles and training allowances to improve mobility and boost morale in the field.
The current batch is scheduled to conclude the programme on Thursday, while arrangements are underway to train the remaining 2,500 approved vigilantes in three additional phases. The state training camp, officials confirmed, has the capacity to host up to 850 trainees per session.