By Tunji Braimoh, Abuja

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Sokoto State Command, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its partnership with the Criminology and Security Studies Unit of the Department of Sociology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), as part of efforts to advance security education and national development.

The pledge was made by the State Commandant, CC E.A. Ajayi, while receiving a delegation of students and lecturers from the Faculty of Social Sciences during a field trip to the Command headquarters in Sokoto on Saturday.

The students, drawn from the Criminology and Security Studies Unit, were accompanied by the Head of Unit, Professor Usman Ahmed Karofi, alongside lecturers Malam Abdulazeez Yusuf and Malama Hauwa Kulu Muhammad Dantake. The visit formed part of an academic programme designed to expose students to the practical operations of security agencies and enhance their understanding of crime prevention and national security management.

Speaking during the engagement, Ajayi described the visit as a strategic initiative that would strengthen collaboration between the academic community and security institutions. He noted that such interactions provide students with firsthand knowledge of security operations and contribute to the development of competent professionals in the field of criminology and security studies.

The Commandant commended the university’s commitment to combining theoretical instruction with practical learning, stressing that understanding the dynamics of crime, criminality, intelligence gathering and security management was essential to addressing contemporary security challenges in the country.

Ajayi also highlighted the achievements of the NSCDC under the leadership of the Commandant General, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi,

particularly the establishment of specialised units such as the Agro Rangers Squad, Disaster Management Unit, Special Female Squad, Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad, Special Crack Squad and the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure Protection Unit.

According to him, the specialised formations have contributed significantly to tackling insecurity, protecting critical infrastructure and enhancing public safety across the country. He added that the Agro Rangers Squad, in particular, was established to mitigate farmer-herder conflicts and support food security.

The State Commandant further pledged the Command’s continued support for educational institutions and research-driven initiatives that promote peacebuilding, security awareness and national development.

In his remarks, Professor Karofi expressed appreciation to the NSCDC for hosting the students and providing them with valuable insights into the practical aspects of security administration. He described the longstanding relationship between the university and the Corps as beneficial to both institutions and the broader society.

The academic urged greater collaboration among security agencies, educational institutions and other stakeholders, noting that collective efforts were essential to building a safer and more prosperous nation.

The visit ended with both the NSCDC and Usmanu Danfodiyo University reaffirming their commitment to sustaining their partnership in the areas of security education, research, capacity building and national development.