Governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress in Sokoto State, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, has condemned the escalating violence and fatalities in the region, warning that the current security situation poses a serious threat to public safety and governance. According to a statement issued by his media aide, Aminu Abdullahi, Dan’iya claimed that over 100 people may have died in separate incidents within the last ten days. These incidents include attacks in Ungushi, Kebbe Local Government Area, where residents were killed by bandits, and deaths in Wurno and Silame local government areas. Additionally, the Gorau boat accident in Goronyo Local Government Area resulted in at least 53 confirmed deaths, with recovery efforts ongoing. Dan’iya emphasized that the increasing frequency of such tragic events demands immediate attention from both the Federal and state governments. In the statement, he stated that the scale and regularity of these tragedies must serve as a clear signal to the Sokoto State Government and the Federal Government. He criticized the authorities for not showing sufficient urgency in addressing the growing security concerns, noting that many residents are now living in fear. Dan’iya argued that protecting lives and property remains the primary duty of government, and that no amount of infrastructure development or political programs can make up for the loss of human lives when citizens are not adequately safeguarded. Furthermore, Dan’iya raised concerns about the state government's focus on launching new projects ahead of the 2027 elections. He accused the administration of delaying essential initiatives until the final stretch of the campaign period, urging greater transparency and accountability in project execution and funding. He pointed out that the government should prioritize resolving the pressing issues of insecurity and displacement rather than concentrating solely on political campaigns. The former deputy governor warned that the ongoing violence could significantly impact voter participation in the upcoming elections, suggesting that the number of eligible voters in affected communities may decline sharply. Dan’iya also called for enhanced security operations, improved intelligence collection, and stronger protections for vulnerable populations. He specifically requested urgent safety improvements on the state’s waterways and better emergency response systems to prevent future losses. While expressing solidarity with the families of the victims, he praised the efforts of security personnel, local divers, community volunteers, and other first responders who participated in rescue and recovery operations. He urged residents to stay calm and watchful, while simultaneously demanding accountability from government officials. In a related incident, security forces in Kebbi State faced a major confrontation with an armed group near Makuku in Sakaba Local Government Area. Ten police officers and two civilians were killed during the clash, which occurred on 10 August. Police spokesperson Bashir Usman confirmed that at least 17 suspected bandits were eliminated, and four motorcycles used by the attackers were destroyed. The engagement took place after the armed group was intercepted along the Rafin Makuku axis. Subsequent reports indicated that more than 200 armed individuals on motorcycles launched an attack on a security camp at Makuku early in the morning, leading to a prolonged gunfight lasting over two hours. Reinforcements from the army and air force were deployed to support the operation. This incident follows a series of attacks across Kebbi, including the abduction of 25 schoolgirls from Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Danko/Wasagu LGA, in November 2025. During that attack, the school’s vice-principal, Hassan Makuku, was killed, and another staff member was injured. The girls were eventually released, but the incident highlighted vulnerabilities in school security and led to temporary closures of educational institutions in the state and beyond. The governor of Kebbi, Nasir Idris, faced criticism for allegedly withdrawing military units from the area before the attack, despite prior intelligence about a potential raid. The Ministry of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the troop withdrawal. Recent months have seen a broadening of security threats across multiple regions in Kebbi, affecting communities in Danko/Wasagu, Sakaba, Shanga, Bagudo, Dandi, and Bunza. The incidents involve diverse actors, with some attributed to bandit groups or Lakurawa terrorists, while others remain unidentified. Security forces have encountered armed movements spanning state and international borders. The pattern suggests a complex landscape of overlapping security challenges, involving varied perpetrators, objectives, and locations. This evolving scenario underscores the necessity for coordinated and comprehensive strategies to address the multifaceted nature of the insecurity plaguing the region.
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