The Sokoto State Government has announced the construction of a military base in Illela town to bolster efforts in tackling banditry and other criminal activities plaguing the state. Bashir Achida, the Economic Adviser to the state governor, revealed this during an interview with journalists in Abuja on Friday.
Achida noted that this initiative is part of a broader strategy by the Sokoto State Government, in collaboration with its citizens, to address the escalating security challenges in the northwest region and across Nigeria. The military base, once completed, will be handed over to the federal government, aligning with constitutional provisions that place the military under federal control.
He emphasized that strengthening security in the region is essential for protecting lives and property, given Sokoto’s strategic importance to agriculture and the nation’s economic development. A more secure environment, Achida said, would enable Sokoto State to significantly contribute to national efforts aimed at reducing poverty and addressing food insecurity.
The state’s location, bordering an international frontier and serving as a key agrarian hub, makes it particularly susceptible to the activities of bandits and other criminal elements. In response to this vulnerability, the government has provided 140 operational vehicles to security agencies to assist in combating crime, both in rural communities and farmlands.
In addition to the military base, the Sokoto State Government is also constructing key roads to improve access to rural areas for military and security operations. Furthermore, Achida highlighted the state’s provision of 700 motorcycles and 40 Hilux vehicles to community guards, established earlier to support the military and other security forces in their fight against banditry.
These efforts, according to Achida, underscore the government’s commitment to ensuring a safer and more prosperous Sokoto State.
(NAN)
