Wurno LGA under bandits’ siege, laments Chairman 

From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto

The Chairman of Wurno Local Government Area in Sokoto State, Alhaji Abba Isa Sadiq-Achida says the area is now under siege by bandits.

He told newsmen in Sokoto on Friday that residents no longer sleep with their eyes closed, adding that over 100 people were recently kidnapped across the area.

‘”This unbecoming situation is now a source of concern to the citizens

“The activities of bandits are now almost a daily affair in various parts of my local government and the people no longer sleep with their two eyes closed,” the Chairman said .

Sadiq-Achida said several innocent lives and precious property had been lost due to the nefarious activities of bandits in the area in the last few years.

“The killings and abductions are way too much..As of today, several people had been killed and maimed, while we currently have nothing less than 100 innocent people in the hands of the dastardly bandits across the LGA.

“Thousands of people who can no longer sleep peacefully in their towns and villages now daily troop to Achida town, which is more of a safe haven for them.

“They come in the evenings, only to sleep in Achida town and move back to their abodes during the daytime.

“They sleep in Primary Schools and any available space they can find. You can imagine the psychological and emotional trauma they daily face.

“We are doing our possible best to complement the efforts of the state government and the security agencies to tackle this situation,” he said.

The Chairman lamented that the terrorists routinely block major roads in the early parts of the night especially on Achida and Goronyo market days.

He also lamented over the unpatriotic activities of informants who are fueling banditry in the area despite the concerted effort of communities to rise up to the challenge.

He said most residents are helping with credible intelligence to nip the menace in the bud.

“The people are helping out, and they are forming more vigilante groups while the State government- sponsored Community Guards are offering invaluable services to roundly deal with the security challenges in spite of all the odds.”

While commending Gov. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto for being up and doing to change the negative narratives, Sadiq-Achida appealed for more urgent and robust interventions.

The Chairman called for the establishment of military camp in Achida town to strengthen the protection of lives and property of citizens.

He also appealed to the Sokoto State Police Command to establish more Divisions and outposts across the area, especially in Achida, Kwargaba, Chacho and other towns and villages in the LGA.

Sadiq-Achida said, ” These proposed super military camp, Police Divisions and Outposts should also be fully staffed and equipped to make them efficacious.”

According to the Chairman, Wurno LGA is currently renovating the Achida Police Outpost to modernize it and make it more befitting.

He acknowledged that the local council, Sokoto State Government and the various security agencies including the Sokoto State Community Guards Corps as well as the vigilantes have been working round the clock to fully tackle the menace.

Reacting, the Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, told newsmen that the command was aware of the security situation in the Eastern parts of the state, just like all parts of the state.

Shaffa said that the command has been working round the clock to ensure the protection of the lives and property of all law-abiding citizens across the state.

The CP said, “We are aware of the situation there and we are not handling the issue with kids gloves.

“We have planned more deployments of personnel and resources to urgently remedy the ugly situation.

“We won’t fold our arms until all parts of the state are made fully safe and secure, this, we are unwaveringly committed to achieving in no distant future.”

It could be recalled that Achida town had on April 17, 2026, came under the heavy bandits’ attack which resulted in the killing two residents and abduction of 23 others, including women, a 10-year-old boy, and vigilantes.

The gunmen first surrounded a vigilante outpost before raiding homes, operating  freely for an hour.

Chacho village had also been recently attacked, where people were kidnapped hours before a wedding, including the bride, bridesmaids, and nine other women.

Community leaders say Chacho had suffered nearly 10 attacks in five years, with over 30 residents killed.

The residents described Wurno LGA as a “perennial hotspot” where vigilantes are outgunned and poor mobile coverage delays response to distress calls.

Across Wurno LGA, the residents are calling for permanent military and Police Outposts to deter the recurring raids.

 They say recent attacks showed coordinated tactics, with bandit groups monitoring towns’ outskirts while others carry out abductions.

As of the time of filing this report, dozens of Wurno LGA residents have remained in captivity, with no ransom demands reported.