The African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Manir Dan’iya, has called for urgent action following reports of fresh killings and mass abductions in Rabah Local Government Area.
Dan’iya, through his Media Aide, Aminu Abdullahi, said Tuesday that the reported attacks showed the growing security challenges facing residents of rural communities in the state.
According to the statement, a mother and her son were among those reportedly killed during an attack in Rabah on Sunday, while about 10 other people were also said to have lost their lives and roughly 40 residents abducted.
Dan’iya also raised concern over a separate attack on Tofa village in the same local government, where seven people were reportedly killed and 12 others abducted.
“How many more people must be killed or abducted before the APC governments admit that Sokoto has a serious security emergency?” he asked.
The ADC candidate argued that the repeated attacks demonstrated what he described as a widening disconnect between government assurances and the conditions faced by people living in vulnerable communities.
Rabah faces repeated attacks
Rabah LGA has experienced several attacks attributed to suspected bandits in recent months, with residents reportedly facing killings, kidnappings and livestock theft.
In March, police confirmed that one person was killed and five others abducted during an attack on Mallamawar Yari village.
Another attack reported in June reportedly resulted in the deaths of four farmers, while 12 others were abducted.
The latest violence adds to growing concerns about insecurity across parts of Sokoto State, where residents have repeatedly called for stronger security deployments and faster responses to attacks.
Reports also indicated that no fewer than 10 people were allegedly killed while several others were abducted when suspected bandits attacked a community in Rabah in the early hours of Monday.
The Sokoto State Government has previously announced measures aimed at improving security, including the approval of N1.75 billion for the purchase of 1,000 motorcycles for security agencies.
Dan’iya said such investments must translate into measurable improvements in the safety of residents.
“The people of Rabah do not need another press statement. They need security personnel, intelligence, rapid response and the confidence to sleep in their homes without fearing that armed men will arrive in the night,” he said.
Dan’iya demands stronger security response
The ADC candidate called for improved coordination among political authorities and security agencies, arguing that the scale of attacks required a stronger institutional response.
He also appealed to the Federal Government to intensify efforts against banditry across the North-West, saying communities should not continue to experience deaths, kidnappings and displacement while authorities rely mainly on periodic operations and assurances.
“When citizens are being killed and abducted, demanding accountability is not politicising insecurity. When communities are attacked repeatedly, asking government to protect them is not politics,” Dan’iya said.
He urged the Federal Government, Sokoto State Government and security agencies to strengthen intelligence-led operations, rescue those still in captivity, apprehend those responsible and maintain a sustained security presence in vulnerable communities.
Dan’iya commiserated with families who lost loved ones and prayed for the safe return of those abducted.
He also commended security personnel working against banditry in Sokoto, while outlining his proposed security priorities if elected governor in 2027.
According to him, his administration would focus on stronger intelligence gathering, improved coordination with security agencies and sustained operations against criminal networks.
“Sokoto must not become a place where people are killed today, mourned tomorrow and forgotten the day after. Every life lost is a failure that government must answer for,” he said.