Dan’iya Faults Gov. Sule Over Attempts to Downplay Sokoto Insecurity

By Fahad Faruk Galadanchi

The Sokoto State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress ADC, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) for allegedly downplaying the security challenges confronting communities across the state.

Dan’iya was reacting to remarks attributed to Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, during his recent visit to Silame, where he reportedly dismissed concerns over insecurity in Sokoto after driving from the state capital to the town without encountering bandits.

While acknowledging that some roads and communities remain accessible, Dan’iya said a single uneventful journey could not invalidate the experiences of residents affected by killings, kidnappings, displacement, cattle rustling and extortion.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Aminu Abdullahi, the ADC candidate said the true security situation in the state should be judged by incidents occurring in affected communities rather than political statements.

He cited the September 3 attack on Girkau and neighbouring communities in Kebbe Local Government Area, where the Sokoto State Police Command confirmed that five people were killed and three others injured. Residents also reported cases of abduction and cattle rustling.

Dan’iya also referred to recent reports that suspected bandits demanded a N40 million levy from residents of Kebbe town and threatened to attack the community if the demand was not paid.

He said the developments demonstrated the danger of measuring insecurity by whether a political leader encountered bandits while travelling on a particular road.

According to him, communities in Rabah, Sabon Birni and other parts of the state have also experienced attacks, killings, abductions and displacement.

“The question is not whether Governor Sule saw a bandit on his journey to Silame. The question is whether our citizens are safe in their homes, farms, and communities. The answer is that many remain deeply afraid” he said.

Dan’iya urged Governor Ahmad Aliyu and the APC led Sokoto State Government to treat insecurity as a serious crisis rather than allow political considerations to influence the public narrative.

He said insecurity posed a direct threat to lives, livelihoods, education, agriculture, investment and the future of the state.

The ADC candidate also commended the sacrifices of the military, police, civil defence personnel and other security agencies, while calling for stronger intelligence gathering, improved coordination, adequate logistics and sustained operations against criminal networks.

“We must never confuse the absence of a bandit on one road with the absence of insecurity in the state” he added.

Dan’iya further challenged the state government to account for its previous assurances and plans to tackle insecurity, saying residents deserved measurable results rather than political reassurance.

He urged the government to listen to displaced families, farmers unable to access their farms, communities facing illegal levies and families affected by kidnapping and loss.

The ADC candidate also called on the Federal and Sokoto State governments to cooperate without partisan considerations, stressing that security should not be used as a campaign instrument or reduced to political denial.

He reaffirmed his commitment to making the protection of lives and property the foremost priority of his administration if elected in 2027.

Dan’iya said an ADC government would pursue a community-focused and intelligence-driven security strategy, maintain direct engagement with affected communities and work with the Federal Government and security agencies to restore public confidence, facilitate the return of displaced residents and create a safer environment for farming and economic activities.

“Sokoto does not need anyone to tell our people that they are safe, our people need to actually be safe.

“Government must protect lives first; politics can come later,” Dan’iya said.