By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto
The Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Muhammad Bello Mutawalle, announced during an assessment visit to evaluate the security situation in the Isa, Sabon Birni, and Goronyo local government areas that the eastern roads in Sokoto State will soon be reopened for commuters.
Alhaji Bello Mutawalle explained that the reopening of the roads followed an appeal made by Governor Ahmed Aliyu to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In response, the president directed the minister to return to Sokoto to assess where additional military formations should be established.
The minister expressed appreciation for the governor’s commitment to providing all necessary requirements for setting up these military formations. He confirmed that three new formations would be established in the Isa and Sabon Birni local government areas, specifically located at Gundumi in Isa, and at Mailalle and Tsamaye in Sabon Birni.
Bello Mutawalle emphasized that efforts to combat banditry would be intensified, noting that some bandit leaders have already been eliminated. He also expressed concern about the activities of informants, stating that more focus would be placed on addressing this issue.
He called for sustained prayers and support from the community to achieve the set objectives.
In a statement, Garba Muhammad, Director of Press in the Deputy Governor’s office, reported that Deputy Governor Alhaji Idris Mohammed Gobir had previously enumerated the various support measures provided by the state government in the fight against banditry. He assured that Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration is ready to commit any necessary resources to protect the lives and properties of the people in the state.
Alhaji Idris Gobir reiterated that all required facilities for establishing the military formations would be provided by the state government. He urged the public to refrain from politicizing security issues, emphasizing that such actions would be a disservice to the community.
The Deputy Governor also encouraged residents to remain vigilant and share useful information with security agents for necessary action.
In separate comments, the chairpersons of Isa, Alhaji Sherifu Abubakar Kamarawa, Sabon Birni, Alhaji Ayuba Hashimu, and Goronyo, Engineer Zubairu Yari, acknowledged the improvement in the security situation in their respective areas. However, they appealed for continued efforts to eliminate banditry in their regions.
Minister Bello Mutawalle, along with Deputy Governor Idris Mohammed Gobir, visited several villages that had been deserted due to frequent bandit attacks, pledging that necessary measures were being put in place to facilitate the return of displaced communities.
