The Sokoto State Government has provided more than N100m in financial assistance and distributed 408 bags of assorted food items to families affected by bandit attacks and a recent boat accident in parts of the state.
The intervention was announced on Monday during a condolence visit by a government delegation led by the state’s APC leader and former governor, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, to affected communities in Wurno and Goronyo Local Government Areas.
In Dinawa, where seven people were killed in a bandit attack, each bereaved family received N1m, two bags each of maize and millet, and one bag of rice.
Five people who sustained injuries in the attack were also given N250,000 each, alongside food items.
Similarly, the families of three people killed in the attack at Birjingo received N1m each and assorted food supplies, while six injured victims were given N250,000 each and bags of rice, millet and maize.
At Gorau, where 65 people reportedly died in a boat accident, each bereaved family received N1m and food items.
Wamakko, who represented Governor Ahmed Aliyu during the visits, expressed sympathy with the affected families and pledged the government’s continued support in addressing insecurity.
He said, “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 also urged residents, particularly those in rural communities, to work closely with security agencies to tackle banditry.
“We also need to pray fervently for Allah’s intervention on insecurity and other challenges confronting our nation,” he added.
Wamakko said the government remained hopeful that the security situation would eventually improve, while urging the bereaved families to accept the deaths as the will of Allah.
At Gorau, the delegation conveyed Governor Aliyu’s directive for an immediate ban on the overloading of boats, which was identified as a major contributor to boat accidents in the area.
The governor directed local government authorities and the district head to ensure strict compliance with the order to prevent further loss of lives.
The delegation also visited Tsamaye in Sabon Birni Local Government Area to condole with residents over the death of the local APC chairman, Alhaji Amadu Malale.
The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, and the Chairman of Sabon Birni LGA, Hashimu Dantudu, commended the state government for the relief provided to the affected families.
They said the intervention would help ease the burden on families dealing with the loss of their loved ones.
The delegation included Deputy Governor Idris Gobir, Minister of Labour and Employment Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, Speaker of the State House of Assembly Tukur Bala Bodinga, APC State Chairman Haruna Adiya, Secretary to the State Government Muhammad Bello Sifawa and other senior government officials.
