Sokoto Boosts Security, Jobs with 1,550 New Marshals

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 toward enhancing public safety and creating sustainable employment opportunities across the state.

The colourful ceremony was attended by the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, who served as the Special Guest of Honour, alongside traditional rulers, senior government officials, security chiefs and other dignitaries.
Governor Aliyu said the recruitment of the 1,550 marshals from all 23 Local Government Areas was part of his administration’s youth empowerment agenda and its determination to complement conventional security agencies in protecting 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.
He recalled that the Sokoto Marshals initiative was first introduced during the administration of his mentor and political leader, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, but remained dormant for years without fresh recruitment. According to him, his administration revived the programme to provide employment 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 government would continue to provide operational vehicles, communication gadgets and other logistics needed for effective service delivery.
He said the marshals would 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.
The governor 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. He charged the newly graduated marshals to discharge their duties with discipline, integrity and professionalism, warning them against intimidation, extortion and abuse of the public, while directing the Commandant to deploy them to security flashpoints and other critical areas across the state.
Governor Aliyu also highlighted the establishment of the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps as part of 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 and paid tribute to Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko for conceiving the Sokoto Marshals initiative. He also commended the Commandant, training consultant, instructors and members of the training team for producing disciplined and competent personnel.
Speaking as Special Guest of Honour, Ekiti State Governor Dr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji congratulated Governor Ahmed Aliyu for what he described as a bold and visionary initiative addressing two major national challenges—youth unemployment and insecurity. He said the Sokoto Marshals programme demonstrates that meaningful investment in young people can promote peace, stability and socio-economic development while complementing 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 is a model worthy of emulation by other states.
He 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 expressed 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. He said the initiative had taken more than 1,500 young people off the streets, equipped them with valuable skills and provided meaningful employment, describing it as an investment in the future of the state’s youth.
The Sultan commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for reviving and strengthening the Sokoto Marshals, noting that the programme would significantly complement existing security efforts across the state. He also praised the training consultant and instructors for producing disciplined and well-trained personnel, saying the parade reflected the quality of training received by the graduates.
He 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. The Sultan 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 despite negative narratives 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—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 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 all 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 dedication throughout the training programme and appreciated Dr. A. A. Ladan for his support and cooperation, which contributed to the success of the exercise.
As part of his visit to Sokoto State, Governor 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 investment in road infrastructure as a demonstration of his commitment to improving the living conditions of the people and accelerating socio-economic development across the state.
The ceremony climaxed with the inspection of the parade by the Special Guest of Honour, presentation of awards to outstanding trainees, decoration of exceptional graduates and the official passing-out of the 1,550 Sokoto Marshals, who are expected to be deployed across the state to support security, environmental protection and traffic management.