Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has assured that his administration will sustain its efforts to combat banditry in the state and ensure that internally displaced persons (IDPs) return to their ancestral homes
The Governor gave the assurance on while declaring open the 8th regular meeting of the State Executive Council
He said the state government, in collaboration with conventional security agencies, was intensifying the fight against banditry through a more robust strategy that was gradually yielding positive results
“We are recording tremendous improvement in our fight against banditry in the state, and we will not relent until we make the state safer
“Our collaboration with security agencies is indeed yielding tangible results, as bandits are now being engaged more than ever before, while livestock are being recovered in some local government areas,” he added
Governor Aliyu cited the recent successes recorded in Rabah, Tureta and Kebbe Local Government Areas, where security agencies engaged bandits, rescued people from captivity and recovered thousands of livestock rustled by the bandits
The Governor further assured the people of the state, particularly those in areas worst affected by banditry, that with the provision of new armoured vehicles and other hardware support to security agencies, security personnel would continue to pursue bandits until rural communities are made safer
He restated his administration’s commitment to providing the necessary support to security agencies in the state to protect the lives and property of citizens
He also appealed to the people to continue supporting the government in its efforts to restore lasting peace and security across the state
The Governor said his administration would also continue to execute meaningful projects that have a direct impact on the lives of the people, in line with its 9-Point Agenda
According to him, the present administration has, in the last three and a half years, continued to deliver dividends of democracy in healthcare, education, road infrastructure, water supply, religious affairs and empowerment programmes across the state
“We are committed to achieving our dream of a New Sokoto that generations yet unborn will be proud of,” he added
He solicited the continued support and prayers of the people towards the realisation of these objectives