Troop withdrawal must not create security gaps, Sokoto governor’s aide warns

Col. Ahmed Abdul Usman, the Sokoto State governor’s special adviser on security matters, supports a gradual military withdrawal from routine internal security duties but warns against a hasty pullout. Following Defence Minister Gen. Christopher Musa’s announcement, he called for careful coordination to prevent gaps, particularly in areas threatened by terrorists and bandits. Usman said the police should take greater responsibility for routine law enforcement while the military remains able to intervene when threats exceed the capacity of the police and other agencies. He also called for more police recruitment, specialised training, modern equipment and stronger intelligence sharing among security services.