An Exclusive Interview with Comrade Adams Saleh, National Chairman of 24 Hours Security Contractor Services
By Chris Nwedo with Peter Innocent and Joy Ijeoma Okwuma.
Kaduna State, once a beacon of Nigeria’s cultural and religious coexistence, has in recent years found itself at the epicentre of security crises, political tensions, and economic setbacks. Once-thriving farmlands have been abandoned under the siege of bandits, night travel has become a gamble with life, and communities, both in the urban core and rural fringes, struggle with fear, displacement, and poverty.
Yet, amid this turbulence, a quiet but formidable force has been working tirelessly to bridge the gap between citizens and security agencies, resisting the tide of political manipulation and sectarian division. At the helm of this movement is Comrade Adams Saleh, the National Chairman of 24 Hours Security Contractor Services, an umbrella coalition of over 500 security outfits drawn from vigilantes, hunters, the Joint Task Force, and other grassroots defenders of peace.
Operating without the luxury of abundant government funding or political patronage, Saleh and his team have stepped into the dangerous void left by weakened trust in formal institutions. Their mission goes beyond the reactive firefighting of security threats, dismantling the politics of hatred, building interfaith trust, to reawakening the collective responsibility of citizens to protect themselves and their neighbours.
In a state where politicians have historically weaponised religious and ethnic identities for personal gain, Saleh’s voice is clear: Kaduna cannot afford to be the battlefield for political gamesmanship. His call is not only for cooperation between Christians and Muslims, but also for a rejection of the subtle manipulations that sow discord and derail peace.
This conversation with Stadt Newspaper goes deep into the heart of Kaduna’s political and security realities. It lays bare the challenges of operating in volatile environments, the economic cost of insecurity, and the moral courage required to stand between armed opportunists and the lives of ordinary citizens. It is also a sharp reminder that the fight for stability is not just about guns and uniforms, it is about restoring trust, safeguarding livelihoods, and ensuring that the next generation grows up in a Kaduna where peace is not the exception, but the rule.
Stadt: Good morning, sir. How are you today?
Comrade Adams Saleh: Glory be to Allah, the Merciful and the Benevolent.
Stadt: We are from Stadt Newspaper and we’re here to interact with you about your work leading a coalition of security organisations in Kaduna and beyond. May we begin by asking you to introduce yourself and explain the reasons behind the work your organisation is doing?
Comrade Adams Saleh: Thank you. My name is Comrade Adams Saleh, and I serve as the National Chairman of our organisation. We have over 500 affiliate security outfits under our umbrella. This network has been in existence since the time of Gashash Sardauna. I was a young man then, but I grew through the ranks. The death of Barrister Kabir Senator was a major setback, many influential members withdrew, but elections brought in new leadership, including people like Auta Abdullahi, Illiyasu and Durumi. Eventually, I emerged as Chairman, not just for the North, but nationally.
The creation of 24 Hours General Contractor Services was born out of necessity. Security challenges in Nigeria, especially in Kaduna and across the North, disproportionately affect the poor. From banditry to kidnapping, the most vulnerable suffer the most. Security agencies, Police, Army, Peace Corps, DSS, Civil Defence, Vigilantes, consistently call for community cooperation. We realised that instead of waiting for help, we must help ourselves by organising and supporting security efforts.
During Governor El-Rufai’s tenure, we met with the Emir of Zazzau and agreed that all security outfits should work under one umbrella, speaking with one voice. We screened and selected personnel from diverse organisations, Vigilantes, JTF, Hunters, to form a voluntary security watchdog. We made it clear: this is service, not a path to quick money.
So far, we’ve screened 7,500 personnel, divided into three operational zones, with 5,000 more awaiting screening. Many have been deployed to strategic places, schools, hospitals, markets, where they have worked diligently for two years without a single official complaint.
Stadt: What exactly does 24 Hours Contractor and Services do?
Comrade Adams Saleh: Our work spans several areas. We’ve deployed trained personnel to support the Army, under the supervision of a retired Nigerian Army officer. Some of our personnel work in police stations, learning to take statements and write reports. Many now work in administrative roles because of this training. We partner with NGOs and Commissioner Hajia Rabi on cases of rape, abuse, and maltreatment. Our personnel can apprehend suspects and hand them over to the police for proper investigation. Within our means, we help the needy. For example, we recently visited a motherless babies’ home in Mahuta, Kaduna, delivering supplies. At meetings and events, we sometimes give stipends to participants.
Stadt: Which area do you consider most important for offering assistance in Kaduna State?
Comrade Adams Saleh: Both Southern and Northern Kaduna deserve equal attention—our policy is 50-50 assistance. Whether in politics, governance, or daily life, our mission is to foster peace and coexistence between Muslims, Christians, and those of other or no faiths. Our efforts extend to churches and mosques alike. While we aren’t financially strong enough to do all we wish, we focus our greatest energy on vulnerable groups, especially orphans.
Stadt: In recent weeks, Kaduna has faced serious security challenges, and many believe politicians are behind them. What has your organisation done to restore peace and stability?
Comrade Adams Saleh: Sadly, politics and politicians have been at the root of much of Kaduna’s insecurity. I remember a time when Christians and Muslims lived as one family—we visited each other’s places of worship without suspicion. Today, divisive politics has poisoned that trust. Politics is not bad in itself, but politics of hatred is destructive. We are all children of Adam and Eve. If we truly listened to our pastors and imams, violence would have no place here. Our work is to unite communities across religious lines.
We are now wiser. Politicians can no longer deceive us. Even in the last local government elections, attempts to disrupt the process failed because our personnel safeguarded polling areas. We stopped thugs from breaking into police stations to hijack election materials—acts that could have escalated into religious crisis. We have also responded to government alerts about potential strikes. We say: peaceful protest is a right, but coming out with weapons is criminal. Sadly, strikes are often hijacked by thugs who vandalise banks, vehicles, and shops.
Stadt: Your personnel operate in hazardous environments. How do you protect them?
Comrade Adams Saleh: We work closely with the military, police, DSS, and others. We don’t carry arms, but we stand at the front to calm situations while armed forces protect us. Our members have volunteered to risk their lives so that others—Christian or Muslim—can live in peace.
Stadt: What motivates you to continue this work?
Comrade Adams Saleh: Because if we don’t act, bandits will destroy our communities. They’ve already stopped farmers from farming and made night travel unsafe. Yet, by God’s grace, we’ve achieved about 85% success in our operations despite lacking rewards or sufficient government support.
Stadt: Since becoming Chairman, what has your organisation achieved?
Comrade Adams Saleh: We’ve accomplished almost all our set goals, but like farming, you must keep working or weeds will take over. One major challenge remains—drug abuse among youth. Many crimes, including a recent murder in Kawo, are committed under drug influence. Thankfully, joint efforts with the Governor and security agencies have led to arrests and prosecutions.
Stadt: Do you have collaborations with foreign bodies or agencies?
Comrade Adams Saleh: Our primary partnerships are with Nigerian state governments. However, promised tools—like vehicles—have not materialised. We have secured a mining licence in Kauru from the Kaduna State Government, and work has just begun.
Stadt: Where do you see your organisation in 3–5 years?
Comrade Adams Saleh: We’re already exploring partnerships with China, India, and African countries, as well as Nigerian organisations. We invite anyone interested—government-approved mining partners are welcome. We will share profits fairly: government’s share, partner’s share, and workers’ share. But above all, I call on everyone to reject anything that could bring crisis to Kaduna.
Stadt: You’ve noted the importance of pastors and imams in your work. Are their messages generally positive?
Comrade Adams Saleh: Yes. Most preach peace and the fear of God. I haven’t seen any reputable Kaduna pastor or imam on social media spreading disunity. They guide people towards heaven and respectful citizenship.
I urge government to intensify security efforts. Peace allows people to work instead of waiting for palliatives. Imagine children walking to school without fear, or farmers cultivating land without threat of attack. But insecurity in farms is growing—some farmland is being lost to residential expansion, forcing farmers further out where they are vulnerable to bandits. Traditional rulers, community heads, and religious leaders have played their roles well. I thank them and pray God blesses their work.
Stadt: Thank you for your time and honesty. May God give you the strength, wisdom, and guidance to continue this important work.
Comrade Adams Saleh: Thank you, and may God bless you too.
Comrade Adams Saleh’s words cut to the core of Kaduna’s predicament: peace is not a gift handed down by politicians, it is built, guarded, and sustained by the people themselves. In a climate where political opportunism often fuels insecurity, and where poverty magnifies vulnerability, the work of grassroots security organisations becomes not just important, but essential to survival.
Kaduna’s challenges are a microcosm of Nigeria’s broader security and economic crisis. Insecurity in rural areas disrupts food production, drives up prices, and deepens hunger. The loss of investor confidence slows job creation, while fear erodes the very fabric of community life. Without decisive action, the cycle will continue, banditry breeds poverty, poverty breeds desperation, and desperation feeds conflict.
The lesson here is simple but urgent: no amount of government intervention can succeed without citizen participation, unity across religious and ethnic lines, and a rejection of leaders who profit from chaos. Saleh’s call to “reject politics of hatred” is not just a moral appeal, it is an economic imperative and a survival strategy.
Kaduna’s future, and indeed Nigeria’s, hinges on whether communities can take ownership of their safety, demand accountability from their leaders, and work together to keep the peace. The question for all of us is no longer who will protect us, but rather how will we protect each other.