Dan’iya Blames FG, Sokoto Govt Over Mass Abductions in Dep Gov’s Hometown

Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, the governorship candidate for the African Democratic Congress in Sokoto State, has sharply criticized both the Federal and Sokoto State governments, attributing the escalating insecurity to their failures. His remarks followed the reported abduction of more than 50 residents from Garin Idi, the hometown of Deputy Governor Idris Mohammed Gobir, an incident Dan’iya described as underscoring the deteriorating security landscape in the state.

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The reported abduction of over 50 residents of Garin Idi demonstrates that insecurity has become so pervasive that even communities associated with senior government officials are no longer insulated from the activities of armed criminal groups.

Dan’iya highlighted that communities associated with high-ranking government officials are no longer immune to attacks by armed criminal groups. He invoked Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulates that the primary purpose of government is the security and welfare of the people. He argued that meaningful development is impossible when citizens live in constant fear, emphasizing the constitutional responsibility of both government levels to protect lives and property.

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The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.

Concerns were also raised regarding reports of residents negotiating directly with bandits and pooling community funds to secure the release of abducted women, the elderly, and Qur’anic students. Dan’iya stated that such actions, if accurate, reveal the desperation of affected communities and the urgent need for enhanced security presence, improved intelligence gathering, and rapid response mechanisms across vulnerable areas.

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Such reports, if accurate, highlight the desperation of affected communities and underscore the urgent need for stronger security presence, improved intelligence gathering and rapid response mechanisms across vulnerable parts of the state.

He urged the government to reassess its security strategy and bolster collaboration with security agencies, traditional rulers, and local communities to combat the rising violence. Dan’iya specifically criticized the Sokoto State Government for its perceived lack of urgency in responding to repeated attacks in various local government areas, stating that the people of Sokoto deserve visible leadership, empathy, and decisive action during crises. He called for intensified operations against criminal groups, reinforced security in vulnerable communities, and the prosecution of those responsible for the attacks.

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The people of Sokoto deserve visible leadership, empathy and decisive action during moments of crisis.