Sokoto donates 10 Hilux vans to secure ₦1,068bn superhighway

..... Commends the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their sacrifices in protecting lives, property and critical national infrastructure.

..... Expresses condolences to the military over the reported loss of personnel in a bandit attack while on official duty the previous day, extending his sympathy to the bereaved families and colleagues of the deceased.

The Sokoto State Government has donated 10 Toyota Hilux vehicles to the Nigerian Army to strengthen security along the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway and other strategic infrastructure corridors.

The vehicles were formally handed over to the Army at the headquarters of the 8 Division in Sokoto on Thursday by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, who represented the Minister of Works, David Umahi.

Goronyo commended Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, for the gesture, describing it as a demonstration of the state government's commitment to infrastructure development and the success of President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said the vehicles would enhance the mobility and operational response of security personnel deployed to protect construction workers, contractors, equipment and host communities along the highway corridor.

The minister described the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway as a landmark project designed to improve connectivity between northern and southern Nigeria, stimulate economic activities and strengthen national integration.

He noted that the project, conceived decades ago during the administration of former President Shehu Shagari, remained unrealised until the Tinubu administration commenced construction in October 2024.

According to him, the highway will traverse Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states, facilitating the movement of goods and people, reducing transportation costs, creating jobs and opening up economic opportunities along its route.

Goronyo said the road would also improve access to markets, schools, healthcare facilities and other essential services, while supporting agriculture, commerce and industrial development.

He, however, stressed that adequate security was critical to the timely completion of the project, calling for sustained collaboration among federal and state governments, security agencies, contractors and host communities.

The minister also highlighted other major road projects being executed by the Federal Government, including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the Calabar–Abuja/Trans-Saharan corridor, the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe corridor, the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano route and the Zaria–Gusau–Sokoto corridor.

He said the projects formed part of efforts to develop an integrated road network that would promote commerce, improve inter-state connectivity and accelerate economic growth.

Goronyo added that the use of continuously reinforced concrete pavement on the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway was intended to deliver durable infrastructure, while complementary measures such as tree planting and solar-powered street lighting, where provided for in the project, would promote environmental sustainability and road safety.

He commended the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their sacrifices in protecting lives, property and critical national infrastructure.

The minister also expressed condolences to the military over the reported loss of personnel in a bandit attack while on official duty the previous day, extending his sympathy to the bereaved families and colleagues of the deceased.

He acknowledged the support of the National Security Adviser in coordinating efforts to address security challenges along the highway corridor.

In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding, 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Sokoto, Major General Bengba Paul Koughna, thanked the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Works and the Sokoto State Government for the vehicles.

Koughna said the vehicles would boost troop mobility and operational effectiveness along the approximately 440-kilometre stretch of the highway covering Sokoto and Kebbi states.

He explained that troops maintained regular patrols and multiple deployment points along the corridor, adding that the vehicles would strengthen their ability to respond to security threats.

The GOC assured Goronyo that the vehicles would be deployed appropriately to protect construction workers, contractors, equipment and other stakeholders involved in the project.

He also commended the representative of Hitech Construction Company, retired General Sa'ad Abubakar, for the company's involvement in the project.

The event was attended by retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Aliyu Garba, officials of the Federal Ministry of Works, representatives of the Sokoto State Government and other stakeholders.

The donation underscores the growing collaboration between federal and state authorities, security agencies and contractors to address security concerns and facilitate the delivery of critical infrastructure projects.