…As Security Operatives Move to Restore Calm

Amid recurring security challenges across Nigeria, the Chairman of Wurno Local Government Area (LGA) in Sokoto State, Alhaji Abba Isa Sadiq-Achida, has lamented the surge in insecurity in the state.

Wurno area is among the eight local governments in Sokoto East Senatorial Zone that are witnessing the worst insecurity upsurge in the state.

Speaking to newsmen on Friday, the LGA Chairman decried that several innocent lives and precious property had been lost as a result of the nefarious activities of bandits in the area in the last few years.

“This unbecoming situation is now a source of concern to the citizens, Wurno LGA, Sokoto State, the Federal Government, the various security, para-military and voluntary security agencies.

“The activities of bandits are now almost a daily affair in various parts of my local government, and the people no longer sleep with their two eyes closed.

“The killings and abductions are way too much..As of today, several people have been killed and maimed, while we currently have nothing less than 100 innocent people in the hands of the dastardly bandits across the LGA.

“Thousands of people who can no longer sleep peacefully in their towns and villages now daily troop to Achida town, which is more of a safe haven for them.

“They come in the evenings, only to sleep in Achida town and move back to their abodes during the daytime.

“They sleep in Primary Schools and any available space they can find. You can imagine the psychological and emotional trauma they face daily.

“We are doing our best to complement the efforts of the state government and the security agencies to tackle this situation.”

The Chairman also decried how the men of the underworld routinely block major roads in the early parts of the night, especially on Achida and Goronyo market days.

Sadiq-Achida also lamented the unpatriotic activities of informants who are fueling banditry, saying, “The communities had, however, risen to the challenge and they are helping with credible intelligence to nip the menace in the bud.

“The people are helping out, and they are forming more vigilante groups while the State government- sponsored Community Guards are offering invaluable services to roundly deal with the security challenges in spite of all the odds.”

While commending Gov. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto for being up and doing to change the negative narratives, Sadiq-Achida appealed for more urgent and robust interventions.

The Chairman further urged the establishment of a super military camp in Achida town to bolster the protection of the lives and property of the citizens.

He also appealed to the Sokoto State Police Command to establish more Divisions and outposts across the area, especially in Achida, Kwargaba, Chacho and other towns and villages in the LGA.

Sadiq-Achida urged, ” These proposed super military camps, Police Divisions and Outposts should also be fully staffed and equipped to make them efficacious.”

According to the Chairman, Wurno LGA is currently renovating the Achida Police Outpost to modernise it and make it more befitting.

He also added, “Concerned by the troubling situation, Wurno LGA, Sokoto State Government and the various security agencies, including the Sokoto State Community Guards Corps, as well as the vigilantes, have been working round the clock to fully tackle the menace.”

Reacting, the Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, told newsmen on Friday in Sokoto that the command was aware of the situation in the Eastern parts of the state, just like all parts of the state.

Shaffa said that the command has been working around the clock to ensure the protection of the lives and property of all the law-abiding citizens across the state.

The CP noted, “We are aware of the situation there, and we are not handling the issue with kid gloves.

“We have planned more deployments of personnel and resources to urgently remedy the ugly situation.

“We won’t fold our arms until all parts of the state are made fully safe and secure; this, we are unwaveringly committed to achieving in no distant future.”

It could be recalled that Achida town had on April 17, 2026, come under the heavy bandits’ attack around 11 p.m., killing two residents and abducting 23 others, including women, a 10-year-old boy, and vigilantes.

The gunmen first surrounded a vigilante outpost before raiding homes and they operated almost freely for an hour.

Chacho village had also been recently attacked, where people were kidnapped hours before a wedding, including the bride, bridesmaids, and nine other women.

Community leaders say Chacho had suffered nearly 10 attacks in five years, with over 30 residents killed.

The residents described Wurno LGA as a “perennial hotspot” where vigilantes are outgunned and poor mobile coverage delays distress calls.

Across Wurno LGA, the residents are calling for permanent military and Police Outposts to deter the recurring raids.

They say recent attacks showed coordinated tactics, with bandit groups monitoring towns’ outskirts while others carry out abductions.

As of the time of filing this report, dozens of Wurno LGA residents have remained in captivity, with no ransom demands reported.