Sokoto reaffirms commitment to fighting insecurity

By Shafa’atu Suleiman, Sokoto

The Governor of Sokoto State, Dr Ahmed Aliyu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the fight against insurgency in the state.

The governor made the affirmation during a security summit organised by the Movement for Social Justice in collaboration with the Sokoto State Government, with the theme ‘Accountability and Transparency of State Actors in Security Management.’

Speaking, Governor Aliyu said it is a well-known fact that Nigeria is facing numerous security challenges hindering its economic, political, and social growth, among which is insecurity, which has led to an increase in crime and criminality.

He said that there is no part of the country that is not faced with one security challenge or another, adding that every region has its own peculiar security challenge.

As banditry, kidnapping, and cattle rustling disturb the North West states, including Sokoto, especially the eastern part of the state, Aliyu said that upon his resumption in office, his administration has taken drastic measures to change the terrible situation through collaboration with conventional security agencies.

“Prior to our coming, there are numbers of communities that are under the control of bandits who dictate to the locals on what to”

The governor said his administration has taken measures to address insecurity in the state, including the restoration of security allowances which the previous government owed security personnel, and the purchase and distribution of over 140 Buffalo and Hilux vans to security agencies in the state for effective surveillance.

“We have also provided adequate numbers of motorcycles to DSS for improved information gathering, sharing and surveillance. For effective and judicious performance of DSS in the state, we have also awarded a project for the upgrading to their tracker equipment from 2G and 3G to 5G.”

According to the governor, the establishment of the Sokoto State Security Guard Corps to complement the efforts of conventional security has helped in improving the security status of the state.

Governor Aliyu said that they have equipped the corps with Hilux vans and 700 motorcycles, built offices for the corps in all the 13 local governments that are hit most by insecurity, as well as providing them with all necessary working materials for efficient operations.

He said the government has ensured the full operationalisation of the Sokoto State Air Force Base by providing the facility with hangars and other necessary logistical support to ensure effective air surveillance and raids of all bandit dens.

The governor said they are very prompt and active in attending to the needs of security agencies whenever they arise.

He said their efforts are yielding positive results by ensuring a reduction in the cases of banditry activities unlike before, adding that bandit attacks were neutralised on different occasions.

Aliyu reaffirmed that his administration is committed to spending the last kobo in the state account to safeguard and protect the state.