Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to defeating terrorists and ensuring the safe return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes. The governor made this pledge during the eighth regular meeting of the State Executive Council, emphasizing that his government will continue to wage an unrelenting war against terrorists until they are defeated and life returns to normal. This declaration is backed by significant investments in security equipment and infrastructure.
The Sokoto State government has awarded a contract for the procurement of 30 Toyota Hilux operational vehicles valued at N1.592 billion to support security agencies in the fight against terrorists and other criminal groups. This is in addition to over 200 Hilux vans and 62 armored vehicles previously procured and distributed to security agencies. The administration has also constructed a military base at Illela, a border town on Nigeria's border with Niger Republic, as part of its efforts to enhance security.
Governor Aliyu has consistently maintained that his government will not negotiate with terrorists, instead insisting on their unconditional surrender. He argues that paying ransom to terrorists only emboldens them and encourages further attacks on communities. The governor's position is that the fight against terrorism cannot be limited to the terrorists alone; it must also extend to their collaborators who sustain the attacks.
Since assuming office, the Aliyu administration has provided over 200 patrol vehicles to security agencies and established the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps, equipping it with vehicles and motorcycles to support its operations in vulnerable communities. The government has also approved a bill for the Sokoto State Banditry Special Prohibition Law, 2026, aimed at strengthening the legal response to banditry by specifically penalizing and checking the activities of armed bandits.
The insecurity in Sokoto State is part of a regional crisis affecting the North-West states. To address this, the governors of the North-West have strengthened cooperation in the war against terrorists, seeking to move beyond isolated state-by-state responses and improve intelligence sharing, joint planning, and coordination of military operations across state boundaries. The Northwest Peace, Security and Development Framework 2026–2030 was presented at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Sokoto State government's approach to security combines logistics for conventional security agencies with community-based security, intelligence gathering, and a stronger operational presence in vulnerable areas. The establishment of a military base in Illela and the procurement of security equipment are part of this broader effort. Governor Aliyu's declaration is a reaffirmation of a security policy backed by substantial investment and political will.
Governor Aliyu has been vocal about the role of collaborators in sustaining terrorist attacks, emphasizing that the fight against terrorism must extend beyond the terrorists themselves. His administration's commitment to defeating terrorists is reflected in its significant investments in security equipment and infrastructure, demonstrating a determination to provide security agencies with the capacity to confront and defeat terrorist groups.
Key points
- The Sokoto State government has invested heavily in security equipment and infrastructure, including 30 Toyota Hilux operational vehicles valued at N1.592 billion.
- Governor Ahmed Aliyu has consistently maintained that his government will not negotiate with terrorists, instead insisting on their unconditional surrender.
- The insecurity in Sokoto State is part of a regional crisis affecting the North-West states, prompting cooperation among governors to strengthen the war against terrorists.
