The Sokoto State Government has awarded a N1.59bn contract for the procurement of 30 Toyota Hilux vehicles to strengthen the operational capacity of security agencies in the fight against banditry and other criminal activities.
The decision was taken at the 8th regular meeting of the Sokoto State Executive Council, presided over by Governor Ahmed Aliyu, according to a statement issued on Friday by the Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Abubakar Bawa.
The contract for the 30 Hilux vans was valued at N1,592,250,000.
The government said the vehicles would further enhance the mobility and operational effectiveness of security agencies across the state.
Bawa said the latest procurement was in addition to the more than 200 Hilux vans and 62 armoured vehicles previously procured and distributed to security agencies by the administration.
He quoted the government as saying the measure was part of its continued efforts to strengthen security operations and protect residents from banditry and other criminal activities.
The council also approved a bill for the enactment of the Sokoto State Banditry Special Prohibition Law, 2026, aimed at providing additional legal measures to penalise and check the activities of armed bandits in the state.
“The Council approved a bill for a law to enact the Sokoto State Banditry Special Prohibition Law, 2026, as part of measures to penalise and checkmate the activities of armed bandits in the state,” the statement said.
In other decisions, the council approved N776.34m for the procurement of 10 Mitsubishi Canter vans and N122m for two additional Toyota Hilux vans.
It also approved N118.14m for the completion of 30 lock-up shops at the Sokoto State Transport Authority terminal.
On education, the council approved N844.65m for the renovation and rehabilitation of dilapidated structures at Government Science Secondary School, Gwadabawa.
It further approved N182.26m for the renovation of Kebbi and Gwandu hostels at Idris Koko Technical College, Farfaru, and N123.91m for the renovation of a block of classrooms, construction of a perimeter wall, access roads and other facilities at Ahmadu Bello Academy, Farfaru.
The council also approved N168.67m for the renovation of eight housing units at Shehu Shagari College of Education and N132.46m for the purchase of library equipment for Shehu Shagari University of Education.
Similarly, N550.42m was approved for the construction of a storey administrative block at Aliyu Magatakarda College of Technology and Advanced Studies.
The council also approved a bill to repeal the Shehu Shagari College of Education Law, 2026, to give the institution a dual mandate that would enable it to award both National Certificate in Education and degree certificates.
In the health and veterinary sector, the council approved N234.67m for the construction of a perimeter fence at the Veterinary Specialist Hospital.
The decisions, according to the government, are part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to strengthen security, infrastructure and public institutions across Sokoto State.