By Emiola Osifeso
The Sokoto State Government has disbursed ₦69.75 million alongside 210 bags of rice to families affected by the recent bandit attacks in Kware and Gwadabawa Local Government Areas, in a move Governor Ahmed Aliyu described as both a show of solidarity and a measure of relief for devastated communities.
Leading a high-powered delegation on a condolence visit to the affected areas on Friday, Governor Aliyu condemned the killings, describing them as “unfortunate and inhumane.” He urged the families of victims to take solace in faith, saying, “We urge you to accept what happened as an act ordained by Almighty Allah,” while assuring residents of his administration’s commitment to restoring peace and stability across the state.
According to the breakdown of the relief package, each family that lost a loved one will receive ₦2 million and five bags of rice, while each injured victim will be given ₦250,000 and three bags of rice. In Kware, official records confirmed that 22 people were killed and four others injured. In Gwadabawa, 11 people lost their lives and another 11 sustained varying degrees of injury.
The governor used the visit not only to commiserate with the victims’ families but also to raise alarm about the increasing role of informants within rural communities. He warned that these collaborators, who provide intelligence and cover for criminal gangs, were becoming more dangerous than the bandits themselves. “These informants are terrible because there wouldn’t have been bandits without them,” Aliyu said, adding that community and religious leaders must intensify awareness campaigns against harbouring or aiding such individuals. “Our community and religious leaders have a critical role to play by sensitising their people on the dangers of harbouring informants and the need to expose them.”
He further appealed for unity and cooperation in confronting insecurity, insisting that only collective action could bring about lasting peace in Sokoto. “Government alone cannot do it. We must all come together to protect our communities, expose the collaborators, and support security agencies in their work,” the governor added.
Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim Kware, and House Leader, Hon. Bello Idris, commended the governor for what they described as a timely intervention. They said the financial and food support would go a long way in bringing comfort to bereaved families and easing the recovery process for survivors.
The condolence visit drew a large gathering of top political and government figures. Among those present were Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, Deputy Governor Idris Muhammed Gobir, Minister of State for Works, Barrister Bello Goronyo, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Tukur Bala Bodinga, former Deputy Governor Barrister Mukhtar Shagari, State APC Chairman Isa Saddiq Achida, Secretary to the State Government Muhammad Bello Sifawa, Chief of Staff Aminu Haliru Dikko, and the State Head of Service Sulaiman S. Fulani.
Also in attendance were prominent diplomats such as Ambassador Sahabi Isa Gada and Ambassador Abubakar Shehu Wurno, alongside Senator Salihu Bakwai, commissioners, special advisers, senior government aides, security representatives, business leaders and other political stakeholders. The sheer breadth of the delegation underscored the seriousness with which the state government is treating the crisis.
The attacks in Kware and Gwadabawa add to the grim tally of violence linked to banditry that has plagued several parts of Sokoto and other northwestern states. Communities continue to suffer heavy casualties and mass displacement, while residents live under the constant threat of raids, kidnappings and killings. The persistent violence has heightened calls for stronger collaboration between communities and security agencies, with many insisting that breaking the cycle of informants and collaborators is crucial to ending the bloodshed.
For the victims’ families, the disbursement of cash and food supplies provides some immediate relief, but many say the real need is for lasting security and peace. As one elder in Kware quietly told journalists during the visit, “We thank the governor for remembering us, but what we want most is to sleep without fear and farm without being attacked. That is the real support we need.”
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