The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David A. B. Mark, GCON, has expressed deep sadness over the passing of former Governor of the old Gongola State, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbodinyan in Abuja.

Senator Mark described the death of the elder statesman as a great loss to Nigeria, particularly at a time when the country needs the wisdom, experience and counsel of its older generation of leaders.

He said Alhaji Bamanga Tukur was a prominent figure whose contributions to Nigeria’s political, administrative and economic development spanned several decades.

According to him, Tukur’s public service record, including his tenure as Governor of the old Gongola State, his service as Minister of Industries and his later leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), reflected a life devoted to the service of the nation.

Senator Mark noted that the deceased was also an accomplished businessman and international figure whose contributions extended beyond partisan politics to national development and institution-building.

“Alhaji Bamanga Tukur belonged to a generation of Nigerians who devoted their lives to the service of the country. His journey through public service, business and politics was remarkable, and his counsel and experience will be greatly missed.
“His death is not only a loss to his family and the people of Adamawa State, but also to Nigeria as a whole. At this difficult moment, we must remember and celebrate the values of service, patriotism and national unity that characterised his long public career.”

Senator Mark commiserated with the Tukur family, the government and people of Adamawa State, as well as the many associates and political colleagues of the deceased.

He prayed Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings, grant him eternal rest and give his family the strength to bear the loss.

Aggrieved people of Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State took to the streets on Friday in protest against incessant attacks, kidnappings and the worsening security situation threatening lives, livelihoods and economic activities in the area.

The protest, which reportedly drew residents from parts of the local government, was said to have been triggered by growing fears over repeated attacks and abductions allegedly carried out by armed criminals operating around vulnerable communities.

The protesters expressed deep concern over what they described as the persistent insecurity confronting the area, calling on the Federal and Sokoto State governments to take urgent and decisive measures to protect residents from further attacks.

They lamented that the continued incidents had created an atmosphere of fear, particularly among farmers, traders and rural dwellers whose livelihoods depend largely on unrestricted access to farms, markets and other economic activities.

The demonstrators reportedly demanded the deployment of more security personnel and operational assets to vulnerable communities, insisting that security agencies must intensify patrols, surveillance and intelligence-led operations to prevent further attacks.

They also appealed for stronger collaboration among the military, police and other security agencies to track down criminal elements responsible for the attacks and restore confidence among residents.

The protesters said the situation had assumed a disturbing dimension capable of undermining agricultural production and forcing residents to abandon their communities and farmlands for safer locations.

Responding to concerns over the development, the Sokoto State Police Command confirmed that it was aware of the situation and assured residents that security operatives were “on top of the situation.”

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ahmad Rufai, who confirmed the development, said the police were monitoring the situation and taking necessary measures to maintain security and protect lives and property in the affected area.

The assurance came amid heightened anxiety among residents, many of whom are demanding not only immediate security intervention but also sustained operations capable of preventing further attacks and kidnappings.

The latest protest has further highlighted the mounting security challenges confronting parts of the North-West, where banditry and kidnapping have continued to threaten rural communities, disrupt agriculture and inflict severe social and economic hardship on vulnerable populations.

Residents are therefore urging the authorities to translate assurances into visible and sustained security operations, arguing that the ultimate measure of success would be the restoration of peace and the ability of citizens to live, farm and conduct their legitimate businesses without fear.

As tension persists, stakeholders are calling for strengthened intelligence gathering, community engagement and coordinated security operations to ensure that Tambuwal and neighbouring communities do not become increasingly vulnerable to criminal elements. (Vanguard)