Sokoto Disburses N100m, Food Relief to Banditry, Boat Mishap Survivors

The Sokoto State administration has provided more than N100 million along with 408 bags of various food items to households impacted by bandit assaults and a recent boat disaster in the Wurno and Goronyo Local Government Areas. This support was announced on Monday during a condolence visit by a senior government delegation, headed by Senator Aliyu Wamakko, the state's APC leader and former governor, to the communities of Dinawa, Birjingo, and Gorau.

In Dinawa, the families of seven individuals who lost their lives in a bandit raid each received N1 million, accompanied by two bags each of maize and millet, and a single bag of rice. Additionally, five people who sustained injuries were each given N250,000, along with bags of rice, millet, and maize.

A similar gesture was extended to Birjingo, where the families of three deceased persons also collected N1 million each, coupled with two bags each of maize and millet, and one bag of rice. Six injured residents there were also compensated with N250,000 each, plus the same assortment of three food items.

For Gorau, the site of a boat mishap that claimed 65 lives, every bereaved family was presented with N1 million, two bags each of maize and millet, and one bag of rice.

During the condolence visits, Senator Wamakko, representing Governor Ahmed Aliyu, conveyed deep sorrow over the tragedies. He reassured the communities of the government's unwavering commitment to bolstering security agencies in their fight against insecurity. Wamakko stated, “I am sure you must have seen the recent intervention by the state government, which included the provision of 62 armoured vehicles to security agencies to support their operations. The state government will continue to support our security agencies in their quest to curb the menace of insecurity in the state.”

The former governor voiced optimism regarding the eventual containment of banditry, appealing to rural populations to collaborate with security forces. He further emphasized, “We also need to pray fervently for Allah’s intervention on insecurity and other challenges confronting our nation.” He implored the grieving families to embrace the losses as divine will, offering prayers for the souls of the departed and strength for those left behind.

In Gorau, the visiting team also communicated Governor Aliyu’s instruction for an immediate halt to boat overloading, a practice identified as a significant cause of aquatic mishaps in the region. Governor Aliyu mandated local government officials and the district head to implement strict enforcement to uphold this directive and avert more fatalities.

The delegation's itinerary also included a stop at Tsamaye in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, where they extended condolences to residents following the passing of Alhaji Amadu Malale, the local APC chairman.

Bello Goronyo, the Minister of State for Works, and Hashimu Dantudu, Chairman of Sabon Birni LGA, lauded the state government's timely intervention and assistance to the affected households, noting that the aid would bring much-needed solace during a trying time.

Prominent figures accompanying the delegation were Deputy Governor Idris Gobir, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi (Minister of Labour and Employment), Tukur Bala Bodinga (Speaker of the State House of Assembly), Haruna Adiya (APC State Chairman), Muhammad Bello Sifawa (Secretary to the State Government), Aminu Haliru Dikko (Chief of Staff), alongside various lawmakers, commissioners, and other high-ranking government functionaries.