The latest attacks that claimed twenty three lives in a bus conveying thirty two people on Monday to the southern part of the country to eke a living, was the ninth episode since banditry and kidnapping escalated in the area.
On arrival at Sabon Birni, with his Deputy, Honourable Manir Muhammad Dan’Iya, the Speaker of Sokoto State House of Assembly, Honourable Aminu Muhammad Achida, security chiefs in the state and some commissioners on his entourage, Tambuwal said, “We are here to condole with you all.”
“May Allah grant those departed eternal bliss and may He grant those who are in the hospital speedy recovery and, overcome the trauma of the ambush.
“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.
“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.
“In addition, 500 motorcycles have also been donated to vigilante groups to ease their operations under the supervision of the security outfits.”
Governor Tambuwal, however, announced a personal donation of N250,000.00 to each of the victims, just as he pledged the state government’s willingness to pick the bills of those hospitalised.
Reacting to a statements credited to a serving Senator that the state government has proscribed vigilante groups, the governor clarified that “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.”
Chairman of Sabon Birni Local Government Area, Hon. Umaru Danyaro, while welcoming the governor recall that the visit was the ninth condolence visit to the area since banditry and kidnapping escalated about a year ago.
Copyright PUNCH.
