By: John Bassey, Zamfara.

The Governor of Zamfara state, Dr. Dauda Lawal has approved the appointment of retired Assistant Inspector General, AIG of Nigerian Police Force Dr. Muhammad Shehu Dalijan as new state Commandant of Community Protection Guards CPG in a decisive move to further strengthen the security architecture of the State.

In a statement by Comrade Suleman Ahmad Tudu, Senior Special Assistant (Media), Office of the Secretary to the Zamfara State Government, the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Abubakar Mohammad Nakwada stated that the appointment takes immediate effect.

Similarly, Governor Lawal has directed a comprehensive overhaul of the Community Protection Guards to address all operational and administrative challenges impeding the agency’s optimal performance and effective service delivery.

The newly appointed Commandant, AIG M.D. Shehu (rtd), brings over three decades of distinguished experience in policing, security management and leadership, with a proven track record in community engagement and counter-terrorism operations.

He served as the Commissioner of Police in Zamfara State between 2023 and 2025 and has held several strategic positions across various police formations nationwide.

These include Police Component Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole (North-East); Deputy Commandant, Police College Kaduna; Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Rivers State; and Coordinator, Operation Restore Peace (South-South), among others.

Until his retirement from service in June 2025, he served as the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Counter-Terrorism at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

AIG M.D. Shehu (rtd) holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (1990), as well as Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Criminology from the University of Abuja, obtained in 2007 and 2018 respectively.

Governor Lawal expressed confidence that, as the immediate past Commissioner of Police in Zamfara State, the appointee is well-versed in the State’s security challenges and terrain, and possesses the requisite capacity to reposition the CPG to effectively deliver on its mandate in line with the rescue agenda of the administration.

The Governor also commended the immediate past Commandant for his selfless service to the State, prayed for his speedy recovery, and reassured him of the Government’s continued solidarity and support.