The Special Adviser on Security Matters to Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu, Col. Ahmed Usman (retd.), has called on political leaders and other stakeholders to put aside partisan differences and unite in the fight against banditry in the state.

Usman made the call on Sunday in a statement while reacting to recent comments by some opposition politicians on the security situation in Sokoto State, stressing that insecurity should not be politicised.

He said bandits did not belong to any political party and did not discriminate between members of the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, or other political groups when carrying out attacks.

“Bandits have no political party. They do not ask whether their victims are APC, PDP or members of any other party before attacking them. Their victims are ordinary citizens.

“That is why the fight against insecurity must be treated as a collective responsibility. The consequences of insecurity affect everyone, regardless of political affiliation,” he said.

Usman acknowledged the right of opposition politicians to express their views but urged them to ensure that their interventions contributed positively to efforts to protect lives and restore peace.

He particularly commended former Sokoto State Governor and Senator representing Sokoto North, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, for what he described as his continued support for victims of banditry and efforts to engage individuals and institutions capable of contributing to the fight against insecurity.

“Senator Aliyu Wamakko has demonstrated that there is a better way to contribute to the fight against insecurity. He has not only supported victims and communities affected by banditry, but has also been reaching out to those who matter, seeking their commitment and support towards finding lasting solutions to the security challenges facing the state.

“We appreciate politicians who have demonstrated genuine commitment to addressing insecurity, irrespective of political affiliation. Their support is important because no single government or institution can defeat banditry alone. We encourage others to emulate such efforts and contribute positively to the search for lasting solutions”, Usman said.

The Special Adviser urged political leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders and members of the public to work closely with the government and security agencies.

“Those who have useful ideas or suggestions should bring them forward constructively, while those with the capacity to support security efforts should do so.

“At this moment, what matters most is the protection of lives and property and the restoration of peace across the state,” he said.

He also appealed to residents to provide security agencies with credible and timely information and avoid statements or actions capable of undermining ongoing operations.

He assured that the Sokoto State Government remained committed to strengthening security and collaborating with relevant stakeholders to ensure that residents could live, farm and conduct their businesses without fear.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kano Sector Command, has rescued 15 persons following a lone road traffic crash involving a DAF trailer with an unknown registration number on Kano-Zaria Road.

The corps said the accident occured at Gadan Yankifi early Sunday morning.

The Sector Commander of the corps, Idris Lawal, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen by the Sector Public Education Officer, Abdullahi Labaran, on Sunday in Kano.

Lawal said: “We received a distress call in the early hours of Sunday at about 5:00 a.m. from a concerned member of the public.

“Upon receiving the report, we immediately mobilsed our rescue team to the scene within five minutes.

“The crash involved a DAF trailer conveying passengers and goods.

“15 victims were evacuated to Kura General Hospital for medical attention. No death was recorded in the crash.”

He advised motorists plying the Kano-Zaria Road to exercise patience, reduce speed when approaching the affected area, and obey traffic rules and regulations.

The sector commander also urged motorists to cooperate with FRSC personnel and other emergency responders at the scene.

Lawal assured the general public that efforts were ongoing to completely clear the obstruction and restore normal traffic flow.

From Jude Dangwam, Jos

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has visited Bin Mper Community in Kombun District of Mangu Local Government Area following the deadly attack on the community which claimed several lives and left others injured.

Mutfwang expressed deep sympathy with the affected families and described the attack as not only on the communities but a direct affront on him.

Addressing members of the community during the visit, particularly women, the governor said the killing of innocent residents was unacceptable and reassured his administration’s resolve to protect lives and property across the state while urging security agencies to do more.

“This is not an attack on the community alone; it is an attack on me. I pray that God will grant you peace and comfort. The police have said that some persons have been arrested, and we will follow the matter to its logical conclusion.

“We will do everything within our powers to ensure that you remain on your land. Nobody will take over your land,” he said.

Mutfwang assured the community that his administration would strengthen existing security measures and adopt additional strategies to prevent further attacks on vulnerable communities,” he stated

Mutfwang said the incident occurred at a time when the state government had reviewed its security architecture in collaboration with security agencies, including the new General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Division, Nigerian Army, and other relevant authorities.

Mutfwang stressed the need for proactive, intelligence-driven and coordinated security operations to prevent attacks before they occur, rather than relying solely on responses after incidents.

He condoled with the families of those killed and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured, assuring the community that the government would continue to stand with them during their period of grief.

Mutfwang also commended Plateau youths for their courage, resilience and continued support for efforts to protect their communities, urging them to remain peaceful, vigilant and law-abiding. He emphasised that tackling insecurity requires sustained collaboration among communities, traditional institutions, government and security agencies.

The governor expressed confidence that through collective resolve and sustained security operations, the state would overcome banditry, terrorism and other criminal activities threatening its peace.

Mutfwang received a security briefing from the GOC, 3 Division, Nigerian Army, during which he called for enhanced intelligence gathering and coordinated operations to protect vulnerable communities.

The governor subsequently paid a sympathy visit to the Mishkagham Mwaghavul, His Royal Highness Da. John Putmang Hirse, where he condoled with the bereaved families and the entire Mwaghavul Nation over the attack.

He assured the traditional ruler that his administration remained committed to defeating banditry and other forms of criminality in the state.

The Royal Father, Da. Putmang Hirse expressed gratitude to the governor for identifying with the people at a difficult moment and described the attack as deliberate and provocative.

“This is something we least expected, people were asleep when they were massacred. Mangu is one of the most peaceful Local Government Areas. We live peacefully with our neighbours and accommodate visitors, yet we were attacked,” he angrily said.

The traditional ruler assured that the Mwaghavul people would remain resilient and law-abiding, stressing that the attack would not force them to abandon their ancestral lands or undermine their commitment to peaceful coexistence.

The President of the Mwaghavul Development Association (MDA) Women’s Wing, Grace Joseph Gora, expressed sympathy with the bereaved families and appealed to women in the community to remain calm and support government and security agencies in efforts to restore peace.