Abdul Usman-Ahmad, the special adviser to the Sokoto governor on security matters, has called for collective action against security challenges and warned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) against politicising insecurity.

Mr Usman-Ahmad said this in a statement on Thursday. Mr Usman-Ahmad criticised remarks made by the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto, Mannir Dan’iya, regarding reported threats by bandits to residents of the Kebbe community.

He urged stakeholders to adopt a collective approach toward tackling insecurity in the state, cautioning against politicising security challenges. According to him, protecting lives and property remains the foremost priority of the present administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu.

Mr Usman-Ahmad said the reported threat to Kebbe was being treated with the seriousness it deserved, adding that security agencies were working with all stakeholders to assess the situation and take appropriate measures to prevent any attack.

Mr Usman-Ahmad called on residents to remain calm and vigilant, and to promptly report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.

The governor’s aide noted that insecurity in the state did not begin with the present administration, arguing that the challenge had its roots in the previous administration. 

He added that Mr Dan’iya, who served as deputy governor during the previous administration, was well positioned to appreciate the difference in the two administrations’ approach to security matters.

According to him, the present administration has made significant investments in security and consistently provided security agencies operating in the state with the necessary support to enhance their effectiveness.

Mr Usman-Ahmad, however, stressed that insecurity was a complex challenge that the government alone could not resolve. He called for collective efforts of the federal government, state government, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, and residents.

He warned that politicising security could undermine efforts to protect lives and restore peace, noting that criminal elements do not distinguish between members of political parties when attacking communities.

Mr Usman-Ahmad further commended security personnel for their sacrifices, assuring residents that the government would continue to support them and work with communities to prevent attacks.

(NAN)