ADC Candidate Dan’iya Blasts Sokoto Government Over Rabah Killings, Mass Abductions

Fresh killings and mass abductions in Sokoto State’s Rabah Local Government Area have triggered a sharp response from the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate, Manir Dan’iya, who says the attacks expose a serious failure to protect residents.

Dan’iya condemned reports that a mother and her son were killed alongside 10 other victims, while about 40 people were abducted during attacks in Rabah. In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Media Aide, Aminu Abdullahi, he described the latest violence as a disturbing escalation of insecurity in the area.

The ADC governorship candidate also raised concerns about an attack on Tofa village in the same local government, where seven people were reportedly killed and 12 others abducted.

“How many more people must be killed or abducted before the APC governments admit that Sokoto has a serious security emergency?” Dan’iya asked.

He said the repeated attacks had widened the gap between official assurances and the daily reality faced by residents of rural communities. Rabah Local Government Area has suffered several attacks by suspected bandits in recent months, involving killings, kidnappings and livestock rustling.

Police confirmed in March that one person was killed and five others abducted during an attack on Mallamawar Yari village. Another reported attack in June left four farmers dead and 12 people abducted. More recently, communities across Sokoto State have continued to face deadly raids, increasing calls for stronger security measures.

The Sokoto State Government has announced measures to address insecurity, including the approval of N1.75 billion for the procurement of 1,000 motorcycles for security agencies. Dan’iya, however, said such interventions must translate into real protection for communities under attack.

“The people of Rabah do not need another press statement. They need security personnel, intelligence, rapid response and the confidence to sleep in their homes without fearing that armed men will arrive in the night,” he said.

Dan’iya called for stronger coordination and accountability within the state’s security structure and urged the Federal Government to intensify the fight against banditry across the North-West. He said citizens had a right to demand protection without such demands being dismissed as political attacks.

“When citizens are being killed and abducted, demanding accountability is not politicising insecurity. When communities are attacked repeatedly, asking government to protect them is not politics,” he stated.

The ADC candidate urged the Federal Government, Sokoto State Government and security agencies to step up intelligence-led operations, rescue those abducted, arrest those responsible and maintain a sustained security presence in vulnerable communities.

Dan’iya commiserated with families of the victims and prayed for the safe return of those abducted. He also praised security personnel involved in operations against banditry and promised that, if elected in 2027, his administration would prioritise intelligence gathering, stronger coordination and sustained action against criminal networks.

“Sokoto must not become a place where people are killed today, mourned tomorrow and forgotten the day after. Every life lost is a failure that government must answer for,” Dan’iya said.