Sokoto disburses N69m, rice to families of bandit attack victims

The Sokoto State Government has released N69.75m and 210 bags of rice as relief support to families affected by recent bandit attacks in Kware and Gwadabawa Local Government Areas of the state.

Governor Ahmed Aliyu, who led a high-powered delegation on a condolence visit on Friday, described the killings as “unfortunate and inhumane,” while pledging his administration’s commitment to restoring peace.

“We urge you to accept what happened as an act ordained by Almighty Allah,” the governor said, assuring residents of his administration’s commitment to restoring peace and security across the state.

According to the breakdown, each family of those killed will receive N2m and five bags of rice, while each injured victim is to get N250,000 and three bags of rice.

In Kware, 22 people were confirmed dead and four others injured. In Gwadabawa, 11 people lost their lives and 11 sustained injuries.

Aliyu also raised concerns about the role of informants within local communities, whom he described as being “even more dangerous than the bandits themselves.”

“These informants are terrible because there wouldn’t have been bandits without them.

Our community and religious leaders have a critical role to play by sensitising their people on the dangers of harbouring informants and the need to expose them,” he said.

The governor appealed for collective support in tackling insecurity, stressing that only unity and cooperation could bring lasting peace to Sokoto.

Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim Kware, and House Leader, Hon. Bello Idris, both commended the governor for the gesture, noting that the support would bring comfort to bereaved and injured families.

The high-powered delegation on the condolence visit included Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko; Deputy Governor Idris Muhammed Gobir; Minister of State for Works, Barrister Bello Goronyo; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Tukur Bala Bodinga; former Deputy Governor, Barrister Mukhtar Shagari; State APC Chairman, Isa Saddiq Achida; Secretary to the State Government, Muhammad Bello Sifawa; Chief of Staff, Aminu Haliru Dikko (mni); and State Head of Service, Sulaiman S. Fulani.

Also in attendance were Amb. Sahabi Isa Gada (mni), Amb. Abubakar Shehu Wurno, Senator Salihu Bakwai, commissioners, special advisers, senior government aides, security representatives, business leaders, and other political stakeholders.

The attacks in Kware and Gwadabawa are the latest in a series of banditry-related violence that has plagued several parts of Sokoto, displacing residents and heightening calls for stronger community-security collaboration.