The African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Manir Dan’iya, has called for urgent and stronger security measures following a series of killings and abductions in Rabah Local Government Area of the state.

Dan’iya, in a statement issued through his Media Aide, Aminu Abdullahi, on Tuesday, condemned the recent attacks, describing the situation as a serious security concern requiring immediate government intervention.

His reaction followed reports of the killing of a mother and her son, alongside the deaths of 10 other people and the abduction of about 40 residents in Rabah on Sunday.

The ADC candidate also raised concerns over a separate attack on Tofa village in the same local government area, where seven people were reportedly killed and 12 others abducted.

Dan’iya questioned how many more residents would have to be killed or kidnapped before the authorities acknowledged the severity of the security situation confronting communities in the state.

He said the repeated attacks had exposed what he described as a growing gap between government assurances on security and the realities faced by residents in rural communities.

Rabah Local Government Area has reportedly experienced repeated attacks by suspected bandits in recent months, with residents facing killings, abductions and livestock rustling. Previous incidents include an attack on Mallamawar Yari village in March, where one person was killed and five others abducted, while another attack in June reportedly left four farmers dead and 12 others abducted.

The latest incidents have further intensified concerns over insecurity across parts of Sokoto State, with several communities reportedly coming under attack.

The Sokoto State Government has announced measures aimed at strengthening security, including the approval of N1.75bn for the procurement of 1,000 motorcycles for security agencies. Dan’iya, however, said such interventions must translate into visible improvements in the safety of residents.

He called for increased deployment of security personnel, better intelligence gathering and faster responses to attacks, stressing that residents needed to be able to sleep in their homes without fear of armed attacks.

The ADC candidate also urged stronger coordination and accountability among the various institutions responsible for security in the state, arguing that the scale of insecurity required a more sustained institutional response.

Dan’iya further appealed to the Federal Government to intensify efforts against banditry across the North-West, saying residents should not continue to suffer killings, kidnappings and displacement while security responses remained limited to occasional operations and assurances.

He called on the Federal Government, the Sokoto State Government and security agencies to strengthen intelligence-led operations, rescue abducted residents, apprehend those responsible for the attacks and maintain a sustained security presence in vulnerable communities.

Dan’iya expressed sympathy with the families of those killed and prayed for the safe return of those abducted.

He also commended security personnel working to combat banditry in the state and pledged that, if elected governor in 2027, his administration would make the protection of lives and property a priority.

According to him, his proposed approach would include improved intelligence gathering, stronger coordination with security agencies and sustained operations against criminal networks.

The ADC candidate’s latest statement comes as insecurity remains a major concern for residents in several parts of Sokoto State, with continued calls for stronger measures to protect rural communities and prevent further loss of lives.