SOKOTO, NIGERIA — The Sokoto State Government has called on politicians to stop politicising the security challenges facing the state, stressing that collective action rather than partisan point-scoring is urgently needed to address the banditry and violent attacks that have devastated communities across the region.
The appeal was issued on Friday by the state government following a series of deadly attacks in rural communities, including the recent massacre of eight farmers in Ghandi community, Rabah Local Government Area, and the invasion of Kebbe town by suspected Lakurawa militants, which left four soldiers feared dead . The government emphasised that insecurity is not a political issue but a humanitarian crisis that demands unity of purpose among all stakeholders.
A government spokesman noted that the state has witnessed escalating violence in recent weeks, with armed groups terrorising farming communities, kidnapping residents, and disrupting economic activities. The persistent attacks have not only claimed lives but have also displaced thousands of families, threatening the food security of the entire region. The government warned that treating the crisis as a political football would only embolden the criminals and prolong the suffering of innocent citizens.
“We cannot afford to play politics with the lives of our people,” the spokesman stated. “The security challenges we face require all hands to be on deck—traditional rulers, religious leaders, community members, and politicians across party lines. This is not the time for blame games; it is the time for collective action.”
The state government reiterated its commitment to working with security agencies to protect lives and property, calling on residents to provide timely information to security forces to aid their operations. The government also urged community leaders to intensify local intelligence gathering and to support ongoing military operations aimed at flushing out criminal elements from their hideouts.
The call comes amid growing public frustration over the government’s inability to curb the violence, with some residents accusing authorities of failing to protect them. Critics have also pointed to the involvement of “political godfathers” in the insecurity, alleging that some politicians are sponsoring banditry for political gain. However, the government dismissed such claims, insisting that the fight against insecurity is an apolitical issue that requires broad-based cooperation.
Earlier, the state government had announced plans to strengthen community policing and enhance collaboration with neighbouring states to combat the activities of bandits and terrorist groups operating in the region. The government also reaffirmed its support for the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to restore peace in the North-West, including the deployment of additional troops and the provision of security equipment.
As Sokoto State continues to grapple with the devastating impact of insecurity, the government’s message is clear: the protection of lives and property transcends political differences, and all citizens must unite to confront the common enemy. The coming weeks will test the resolve of both the government and the people to work together toward lasting peace and stability.
