The Sokoto State Government has dismissed claims circulating on social media that residents of Tidibale village in Isa Local Government Area were chased out of their community by bandits, describing the reports as misleading.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Sokoto, Abubakar Bawa, said the individuals captured in the viral video were indeed residents of Tidibale village, but were temporarily relocated as a precautionary measure, not as a result of a bandit attack.
“The residents seen in the video are from Tidibale village in Isa Local Government Area. However, they were not chased away by bandits,” Bawa clarified. “They were conveyed to the Isa Local Government headquarters by council authorities following a rumour that bandits were planning to attack the community.”
According to the statement, the rumour triggered fear and anxiety among villagers, prompting swift action by local authorities. The Councillor representing the ward, Dayyabu Sani, was said to have immediately reported the situation to the Chairman of Isa Local Government Area, Sherifu Kamarawa.
“Upon receiving the report, the Chairman directed that the villagers be temporarily relocated to the local government headquarters as a preventive step to ensure their safety,” Bawa said.
He added that the affected residents have since returned safely to their ancestral homes, while security agencies have stepped up patrols in the area to prevent any possible breach of peace.
In a further move to strengthen security, the state government announced the approval of a Forward Operational Base (FOB) in the area to complement existing security formations in Isa Local Government Area.
“To guarantee the safety of lives and property in Tidibale village and neighbouring communities, the Sokoto State Government has approved the establishment of a Forward Operational Base in the area,” the statement noted.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting residents, particularly those in security-challenged areas of the state.
“The Sokoto State Government reassures the people of the state of its unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property at all times,” Bawa said, adding that the government would continue to collaborate with conventional security agencies, the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps, and vigilante groups to secure rural communities.
The government also cautioned against the politicisation of security issues and urged residents to cooperate with authorities in the fight against banditry, including exposing informants within their communities.
“Members of the public are strongly advised to desist from spreading rumours, especially on security-related matters, due to their sensitive nature and the panic they often generate,” the statement warned.
