Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, has approved the appointment of retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Muhammad Shehu Dalijan, as the new State Commandant of the Community Protection Guards (CPG).
Alongside the appointment, the Governor has ordered an overhaul of the CPG, locally known as Askarawa Zamfara, to eliminate operational bottlenecks and improve service delivery across the 14 local government areas of the state.
Dr. Dalijan appointment is seen by many as a strategic homecoming of a veteran officer who understands the security challenges of the state.
Dalijan’s familiarity with Zamfara’s terrain will help reposition the Community Protection Guards to effectively deliver on its mandate in line with the administration’s rescue agenda – Malam Abubakar Nakwada, Secretary to the State Government.
Dr. Muhammad Shehu Dalijan (Rtd. AIG) with over 30 years in policing and counter-terrorism, served as Commissioner of Police (CP) for Zamfara State (2023–2025). He was the Former AIG Counter-Terrorism, Police Component Commander for Operation Lafiya Dole. He obtained a PhD in Criminology at the University of Abuja, as well as MSc Criminology and BSc Sociology.
This appointment came after the signing of the ₦871.3 billion 2026 Budget, which allocates huge resources to security and rural development. The state is also currently managing a $3 million EU intervention focused on conflict prevention and resilience.
Meanwhile, Governor Lawal just concluded a two-day security appreciation tour, visiting the 1 Brigade Command and 207 Air Force Quick Response Group to boost frontline morale. The state has also integrated 11,300 Imams into a new pay structure to facilitate community peace-building and spiritual intercession against banditry.
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