The recent remark by Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, that he drove from Sokoto metropolis to Silame without encountering a single bandit has continued to generate reactions in Sokoto State, with residents, a security analyst and a governorship candidate offering contrasting views on the security situation
Sule made the remarks on Wednesday while speaking during the commissioning of the Garin Magaji-Gittarana Road and the Silame Bridge in Silame Local Government Area of the state
Sule said he was happy to have travelled from Sokoto to Silame without encountering any bandits, adding that the experience would enable him to tell others that the situation was not as dangerous as some reports suggested
However, his remarks have since generated reactions, particularly on social media, with residents and other stakeholders questioning whether a single journey through one route could adequately reflect the security situation in an entire local government area or state
Bello Umar Tozo, a resident of Tozo village in Silame LGA, said the security situation in his community was far different from the impression created by the governor’s journey
He said residents were currently guarding farmers in their fields because of fears of attacks
“As we are speaking, we are in the farm guarding people There are more than 100 people harvesting millet, and that is why we are holding locally-made guns to protect them,” he said.
Tozo said at least 14 people had been killed in the area since the beginning of the harvesting season, including people who were allegedly shot, slaughtered or hacked to death with machetes
He said Tozo was only about three to four kilometres from Silame town, arguing that the security situation in surrounding communities could not be determined by what a visitor experienced while travelling on one road
Tozo also disclosed that N20 million was recently paid to secure the release of his wife’s uncle, who subsequently relocated to Sokoto after his release
He said after the man was released, his elder brother, who shared the same parents with him, was later attacked and killed
According to him, bandits frequently visit the community, adding that the local government chairman was aware of the situation
Another resident, Umar Musa, who lives in Silame town, said residents within the town were relatively safe but that several villages under the local government area were facing serious security challenges
Musa said the governor had made a mistake by generalising the security situation based on his experience within the town
“Within the town, yes, people are relatively safe But he made a mistake by generalising it because the villages are facing serious security challenges,” he said.
He identified areas around Kugodo, Kilgori and communities bordering Yabo as some of the areas affected by insecurity
Musa also said people had been killed and motorcycles taken away around Gugu and Silame
He said some of the affected communities were only about three kilometres from Silame town
Aminu Abubakar Dikko, who said he had served as councillor for Labani Ward for seven years, also said insecurity remained a major concern in the area
Dikko said residents had been organising night patrols because of fears of attacks
He added that about 10 people had been killed in the area within three months while working on their farms
A traditional leader who asked not to be named also alleged that bandits had been imposing levies on communities in the area
He said a resident of Rugunniya village was recently given a N11 million levy and threatened with an attack if he failed to pay
According to him, the man was targeted because he owned cattle
He added that bandits had also demanded N400,000 from each of six communities for about four months, forcing residents to maintain constant vigilance
The communities, he said, include Kadadi, Alfawa, Labani, Rumbutu, Koggel and Bisare
He said the major security challenge was around Dafashi, Dan Tafki and Bayawa in the neighbouring Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State
Security analyst, Nuraddeen Bello Bodinga, also faulted Sule’s remarks, saying leaders should be careful with statements concerning insecurity
Bodinga said the fact that the governor travelled through one route without encountering a bandit did not mean that bandits were not operating in other parts of the state
He said the comment could undermine efforts to restore public confidence and calm communities affected by insecurity
According to him, a governor’s words carry significant weight and could either contribute to peace or worsen the situation if not carefully chosen