Governor Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State donated N13.6 million and 150 bags of foodstuffs to victims of banditry in the 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 each.

Mr Aliyu said at the presentation of the donations in 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.

The governor 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,’’ Mr Aliyu said.

Mr Aliyu assured that the Sokoto government was doing its best to end banditry and other criminal activities.

He added that the state government was supporting the police, the military and other security agencies to end banditry and other crimes.

Kabiru Shehu, chairman of Goronyo Local Government Council, said the bandits attacked Sabongarin Dole, Nassarawa, Giyawa, Danwaru and Sabongarin Moyekai settlements earlier.

Mr Shehu said residents had sleepless nights as the bandits lurked in surrounding bushes.

He commended the governor for his constant efforts at handling security challenges bedevilling the state.

Former Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko also donated N1 million to the vigilance group in Goronyo.

(NAN)