The Sokoto State Government has approved N1.59 billion for the procurement of 30 Toyota Hilux vans to strengthen the operational capacity of security agencies in the fight against banditry and other criminal activities.

The vehicles, according to the Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Sokoto, Abubakar Bawa, will complement more than 200 Hilux vans and 62 armoured vehicles previously procured and distributed to security agencies across the state.
 
Bawa disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday at the end of the eighth regular meeting of the Sokoto State Executive Council, presided over by Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto.
 
He said the Council awarded the contract for the 30 Toyota Hilux vans at N1,592,250,000 as part of efforts to further enhance security operations across the state.
 
The Council also approved a bill for a law to enact the Sokoto State Banditry Special Prohibition Law, 2026, aimed at strengthening legal measures against the activities of armed bandits.
 
In addition, the Council approved N776.34 million for the procurement of 10 Mitsubishi Canter vans and N122 million for two Toyota Hilux vans.

On infrastructure and education, Bawa said the Council approved N118.14 million for the completion of 30 lock-up shops at the Sokoto State Transport Authority terminal.

It also approved N844.65 million for the renovation and rehabilitation of dilapidated structures at Government Science Secondary School, Gwadabawa.
 
Similarly, N182.26 million was approved for the renovation of Kebbi and Gwandu hostels at Idris Koko Technical College, Farfaru, while N123.91 million was approved for the renovation of a block of classrooms and construction of a perimeter wall, access roads and other facilities at Ahmadu Bello Academy, Farfaru.
 
The Council further approved N168.67 million for the renovation of eight housing units at Shehu Shagari College of Education and N132.46 million for the purchase of library equipment for Shehu Shagari University of Education.
 
According to Bawa, N550.42 million was also approved for the construction of a storey administrative block at Aliyu Magatakarda College of Technology and Advanced Studies.

The Council equally approved a bill to repeal the Shehu Shagari College of Education Law, 2026, to provide the institution with a dual mandate to award both National Certificate in Education (NCE) and degree certificates.
 
Also approved was N234.67 million for the construction of a perimeter fence at the Veterinary Specialist Hospital.

Bawa said the decisions were part of the state government’s broader efforts to strengthen security, education and infrastructure across Sokoto State.