Sokoto state governor, Aminu Tambuwal on Thursday visited to condole the families of the 23 victims who got burnt in bandits attack Sabin Birni local government area of the state.
The governor also made a personal donation of N250,000 to each of the 23 families whose members were affected by the attack and pledged that the state government will foot the bills of those receiving treatment in the hospitals.
The bandits on Monday, attacked and burnt 32-seater bus at Gidan Bawa village on Monday.
Addressing the families in Sabon Birni town, Tambuwal expressed dismay over the attack and promised to do everything possible to roll back the unfortunate problem.
“It is very disturbing that these kind of things are happening here and across the nation. As those entrusted with the leadership of the people in this state, we are very worried and touched each time such incident happens. Nonetheless, we will not rest on our oars in doing the best we can to roll back this unfortunate problem,” the governor said.
He said on its part, the state government has been supporting security operatives to fight insecurity. “We have been doing our best to support the security operatives in the state. We have donated over 500 vehicles to all the security operatives in the state and trained about 1000 certified vigilante members. 500 motorcycles have also been donated to vigilante groups to ease their operations under the supervision of the security outfits.”
He further explained that his administration is poised to strengthen the operations of certified vigilante groups contrary to statements credited to a serving Senator that the state government has proscribed vigilante groups.
“What we voided were self-styled vigilante groups, while we will from the beginning of December start paying verified vigilante members N20,000 monthly stipend to encourage them,” Tambuwal said, urging all and sundry to jettison politics in the move towards resolving this crisis.
Tambuwal prayed to God for the repose of the souls of those killed. “May Allah grant those departed eternal bliss and may He grant those who are in the hospital speedy recovery and also pray that those wounded will overcome the trauma of the ambush.”
The Sabon Birni local government council chairman, Umaru Danyaro welcomed the governor saying: “We’re grateful to you for the ninth condolence visit to this area since banditry and kidnapping escalated about a year ago.
“The security operatives here have been cooperating with the local authorities. However, what concerns security is not the state governor’s responsibility but that of the federal government.
“Governor Tambuwal has been doing his best. People should stop blaming the incumbent administration for the woes befalling the people. Instead, we should all focus on repenting our sins individually and collectively. We should all reform our ways, the Chairman admonished.
Tambuwal was accompanied by his Deputy, Manir Dan’Iya; the Speaker of Sokoto state House of Assembly, Aminu Achida; security chiefs in the state and some commissioners.
