In a significant move to bolster its local security framework, the Zamfara State Government has appointed a seasoned security expert to lead its frontline community defense force. Governor Dauda Lawal has approved the appointment of retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Dr. Muhammad Dalijan, as the new State Commandant of the Zamfara Community Protection Guards (CPG). The announcement, made by the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Abubakar Nakwada, signals a strategic shift aimed at professionalizing the state’s response to pervasive security challenges.
The appointment is not an isolated personnel change but part of a broader directive from Governor Lawal for a “comprehensive overhaul” of the CPG. This initiative seeks to address the operational and administrative hurdles that have historically impeded the outfit’s effectiveness. By placing a figure of Dalijan’s caliber at the helm, the government aims to inject high-level policing experience, strategic acumen, and institutional knowledge directly into the grassroots security architecture.
Profile of the New Commandant: A Career Dedicated to Security
Dr. Muhammad Dalijan is no stranger to Zamfara’s complex security landscape. His credentials present a compelling case for his selection:
- Recent & Relevant Experience: He served as the Commissioner of Police in Zamfara State between 2023 and 2025, giving him intimate, on-the-ground knowledge of the state’s specific threats, terrain, and community dynamics. Following this, he was promoted to AIG in charge of Counter-Terrorism at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, a role that provided him with a national perspective on combating insurgency and banditry—the very plagues affecting Zamfara.
- Academic Pedigree: Beyond field experience, Dalijan brings substantial academic weight. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and advanced Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Criminology. This blend of practical policing and deep theoretical understanding of crime, its causes, and prevention strategies is rare and positions him to develop evidence-based approaches for the CPG.
- Immediate Transition: Having retired only in June 2025, his operational knowledge is current, and his networks within the national security apparatus are likely intact, which could facilitate crucial coordination between state and federal forces.
The Context: Understanding the Community Protection Guards (CPG)
The CPG is a state-owned security outfit, often conceptualized as a localized vigilante or civil defense force. Such groups have become a critical component of security in many northwestern Nigerian states grappling with banditry and kidnapping. They typically comprise volunteers from local communities who possess superior knowledge of the local geography and population. However, these groups often face challenges including lack of formal training, inadequate equipment, poor coordination with official security forces, and occasional risks of being infiltrated or morphing into partisan entities.
Governor Lawal’s “rescue agenda” appears to hinge on transforming the CPG from a potentially irregular auxiliary into a disciplined, intelligence-driven, and professionally managed corps. Dalijan’s mandate, therefore, extends beyond command; it involves institutional rebuilding, standardizing training protocols, establishing clear chains of command, and forging seamless collaboration with the Nigerian Police, Army, and other security agencies.
Strategic Implications and Expected Outcomes
This appointment carries several potential implications for security in Zamfara:
- Enhanced Legitimacy and Coordination: A retired senior police officer leading the CPG could bridge the trust and operational gap that sometimes exists between formal security forces and community guards. This can lead to better intelligence sharing and joint operations.
- Professionalization: Expect a focus on formal training modules, rules of engagement, and accountability mechanisms to ensure the CPG operates within legal and human rights frameworks.
- Sustained Strategy: Dalijan’s academic background suggests the potential for developing long-term crime prevention and community policing strategies, moving beyond purely reactive responses.
In his statement, Governor Lawal expressed confidence that Dalijan’s unique profile makes him ideally suited to reposition the CPG. The government also commended the outgoing Commandant for his service, wishing him a speedy recovery and assuring him of continued support—a gesture that maintains morale within the ranks during this transition.
This decisive move by the Zamfara State Government underscores a growing recognition across conflict-affected regions that stabilizing local security requires blending community insight with professional leadership. The success of this appointment will be closely watched as a potential model for other states facing similar crises. The effectiveness of the overhauled CPG under Dalijan’s command will be a key metric for the Lawal administration’s flagship “rescue agenda” in the months to come.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani.
