The Sokoto State Government has donated more than N100 million and 408 bags of assorted food items to families affected by recent bandit attacks and a deadly boat accident in Wurno and Goronyo Local Government Areas of the state.
The intervention was announced on Monday when a high-powered government delegation, led by the state All Progressives Congress leader and former governor, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, visited Dinawa, Birjingo and Gorau communities to condole with the victims’ families.
At Dinawa, families of seven people killed in a bandit attack received N1 million each, in addition to two bags each of maize and millet and one bag of rice.
Five persons injured in the attack were given N250,000 each, alongside bags of rice, millet and maize.
Similarly, families of three victims killed in Birjingo received N1 million each, two bags each of maize and millet, and one bag of rice. Six injured victims were also given N250,000 each and food items.
At Gorau, where 65 people reportedly lost their lives in a boat mishap, each bereaved family received N1 million, two bags each of maize and millet, and one bag of rice.
Speaking during the visits, Wamakko, who represented Governor Ahmed Aliyu, expressed sadness over the incidents and assured residents that the state government would continue to support security agencies in tackling insecurity.
He pointed to the government’s recent provision of 62 armoured vehicles to security agencies as part of efforts to strengthen their operations across the state.
Wamakko expressed optimism that banditry would eventually be brought under control and urged rural communities to cooperate with security agencies and provide useful information to aid the fight against insecurity.
He also appealed to the bereaved families to accept the deaths as the will of Allah, praying for the forgiveness of the deceased and strength for those left behind.
At Gorau, the delegation conveyed Governor Aliyu’s directive for an immediate end to the overloading of boats, which was identified as a major cause of boat accidents in the area.
The governor directed local government authorities and the district head to enforce the directive strictly 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 Local Government Area, Hashimu Dantudu, commended the state government for the intervention, saying the support would provide relief to the affected families during a difficult period.
Other members of 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, Chief of Staff Aminu Haliru Dikko, lawmakers, commissioners and other senior government officials.
