Gov. Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State donated N13.6 million and 150 bags of foodstuffs to victims of banditry in Goronyo Local Government Area of the state on Sunday.
He said families of each deceased person should be given N500,000 and five bags of foodstuffs, while other affected victims should get N200,000 and three bags of foodstuffs each.
Former Sokoto State governor, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko, who was part of the visit also donated N1 million to the vigilance group in the area.
Gov. Aliyu said at the presentation of the donations at Giyawa village that five persons died, one was injured, while four other victims were still in captivity.
He added that 25 other victims taken by the bandits had regained their freedom.
He sympathised with relatives of the victims and urged them to consider the situation as destiny as security challenges had become a source of concern all over the country.
“I am disturbed at the rising cases of insecurity in this area as the latest is the third in succession.
“I am in constant contact with the council chairman to find lasting solutions to the problem,’’ Aliyu said.
He assured that the state government was doing its best to end banditry and other criminal activities in the state.
He added that the state government was supporting the police, the military and other security agencies to end banditry and other crimes and urged residents to support them with useful information to tackle the menace.
Earlier, Alhaji Kabiru Shehu, chairman of Goronyo Local Government Council, said Sabongarin Dole, Nassarawa, Giyawa, Danwaru and Sabongarin Moyekai settlements were attacked by the bandits.
Shehu said residents had been having sleepless nights as the bandits lurked in surrounding bushes.
He commended Gov. Aliyu for his constant efforts at handling security challenges bedevilling the state.
He said the governor’s donation would give some succour to victims and to their dependants.
The chairman recalled that a face-off between residents and the bandits recently led to casualty on both sides as four persons were killed in Giyawa and Nassarawa communities, while six persons sustained injuries.
He added that unspecified number of bandits was killed during the encounter.
Shehu appealed for more security presence in the area. (NAN) (