Governor Aliyu Rolls Out Final 2025 Offensive to Consign Banditry to History

In a decisive move to close out the year, Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu has unveiled a fortified security blueprint aimed at dismantling the criminal networks that have long terrorized the “Seat of the Caliphate.” Speaking on Wednesday, December 24, 2024, during the final State Executive Council meeting of 2025, the Governor signaled that the state is shifting into a higher gear of tactical engagement. The new strategy is not just a reactive measure but a proactive strike designed to ensure that the peace residents have yearned for becomes a permanent reality.

The Governor’s announcement comes at a time when rural Sokoto has faced a relentless onslaught from bandits, whose activities have evolved from cattle rustling to a broader campaign of mass abductions and economic sabotage. For many farming communities in the state’s 13 most volatile local government areas, the threat of violence has become an unwelcome shadow over daily life. By declaring this new “fresh offensive,” Aliyu is sending a clear message: the state government will no longer permit the disruption of its agricultural and economic heartlands.

At the core of this renewed strategy is a heavy emphasis on the “intelligence-first” approach. Governor Aliyu noted that while kinetic military force is necessary, the ability to anticipate and neutralize threats before they escalate is the true backbone of modern security. The new measures are designed to weave a tighter web of coordination between conventional security agencies and grassroots informants, ensuring that there are no “blind spots” where criminal elements can hide or regroup.

Since assuming office, Aliyu has consistently backed his rhetoric with tangible resources. His administration’s “9-Point Smart Agenda” has already seen the distribution of over 130 patrol vehicles and 700 motorcycles to security formations and the state’s newly established Community Guard Corps. By providing the logistics necessary for rapid response in difficult terrains, the government has already begun to see encouraging results, with several bandit networks being intercepted and neutralized in recent months.

The Governor was candid about the limitations of state power without public cooperation. He reminded the Council and the broader public that security is a collective burden, urging residents to serve as the “eyes and ears” of the security forces. He argued that the most effective weapon against banditry is timely and credible information, which allows the military and police to strike with surgical precision. For Aliyu, the goal is simple but ambitious: to make banditry “history” in Sokoto.

The 17th regular meeting of the State Executive Council also served as a moment of reflection for the administration’s performance over the past twelve months. The Governor praised his team for their dedication, attributing the measurable gains in both governance and security to a spirit of teamwork. This final session of 2025 was framed as a bridge to a more secure 2026, with the 2025 budget already heavily weighted toward housing and security infrastructure to sustain the current momentum.

Despite the gravity of the security situation, the tone of the Governor’s address was one of resolute optimism. He expressed his deep appreciation for the patience and prayers of the Sokoto people, whose resilience has been tested by the ongoing crisis. By aligning localized security measures with federal military operations, Aliyu believes the state is finally gaining the upper hand in a conflict that has plagued the Northwest region for years.

As the council session drew to a close, the atmosphere in the Government House was one of renewed purpose. The Governor’s resolve to deliver the “dividends of democracy” is clearly tethered to his ability to secure the state. Without safety, he noted, development remains a fragile dream. With this latest security plan, Sokoto is placing a high-stakes bet on intelligence and local empowerment to finally break the cycle of violence and restore the state to its former glory as a haven of peace.