Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has called on Nigerians to support the government’s efforts in fighting insecurity and banditry.
  
He appealed in his independence message to the people of the state.
  
The governor stressed the need for the people to complement the efforts of the federal and state governments in protecting life and property.
    
He submitted that his administration had spent hugely to secure the state.
  
In a statement by his Press Secretary, Abubakar Bawa, the governor clarified: “When we came on board, the monthly allowances given to the security operatives deployed to flash points had stopped, and we have since restored that and even increased the amount.
  
“We equally procured 100 vehicles, which we distributed to the security outfits in the state to checkmate the activities of bandits in the state.”
  
He added that his government had established a Community Guard Corps to complement the effort of the conventional security outfits in protecting lives and properties in the rural communities.

“All these were part of our modest efforts to redeem our pledge to guarantee the safety of lives and property of our people,” the governor added.
  
Aliyu expressed optimism that with the present measures being taken by the federal and state governments, the security challenges confronting the nation would soon be surmounted.
    
While congratulating Nigerians on the nation’s 64th independence anniversary, he charged them not to forget the founding fathers’ struggles, which led to the attainment of self-rule in 1960.
  
He also paid glowing tributes to the nation’s fallen heroes for their sacrifices in making the country an indivisible entity.