A member of the House of Representatives representing Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency of Sokoto State and Deputy Minority Leader, Abdussamad Dasuki, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthen diplomatic relations with the Republic of Niger as part of efforts to address the worsening security challenges confronting communities in Nigeria’s North-West region.
Dasuki made the call when his constituents ‘unveiled’ him as the new Deputy Minority Leader to the Sokoto state chapter of the All Democratic Congress (ADC) on Tuesday, where he stressed the need for renewed cross-border collaboration to effectively tackle banditry, arms trafficking and other transnational crimes ravaging border communities.
The lawmaker expressed concern over the persistent attacks by armed bandits in several communities within Kebbe, Tambuwal, Isa and Sabon Birni Local Government Areas of Sokoto State, noting that the insecurity had continued to claim lives, displace residents and cripple economic activities.
According to him, the porous borders between Nigeria and neighbouring Sahel countries, particularly the Niger Republic, have become major routes for the movement of criminal elements, illegal arms and insurgents.
Dasuki argued that Nigeria cannot successfully combat banditry and terrorism in isolation, insisting that stronger regional cooperation and intelligence sharing among Sahel nations are essential to restoring peace and security in the region.
The lawmaker cited a series of recent attacks in communities within his constituency, lamenting that many residents had been forced to flee their homes while farmers had abandoned their farmlands due to fear of attacks.
He stressed that the Federal government has failed in protecting the lives of Nigerian citizens, calling on the people to oust the APC-led government from power by ensuring the victory of the ADC in the 2027 general elections.
He warned that the continued insecurity poses serious threats to food production, livelihoods and socio-economic stability across the North-West.
The lawmakers also urged the Federal Government to accelerate efforts towards rescuing abducted victims, prosecuting perpetrators and providing support for displaced persons and other victims of the attacks.
The renewed call comes amid growing concerns over insecurity in Nigeria’s border communities and increasing demands for stronger regional cooperation among countries within the Sahel to curb cross-border crimes and terrorism.
On the plight of Nigerian workers, Dasuki said that from the huge revenue allocation to state governments, workers should earn nothing less than N150,000 monthly salaries.
