SOKOTO STATE GOVERNMENT CLARIFIES VIRAL VIDEO ON TIDIBALE COMMUNITY

Sokoto, January 15, 2026

The Sokoto State Government has clarified a viral video circulating on sections of social media which alleged that individuals seen in the footage were residents of Tidibale Village chased away by bandits.
In a statement issued by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Sokoto, Abubakar Bawa, the Government explained that while the individuals in the video are indeed residents of Tidibale Village in Isa Local Government Area, they were not displaced by bandits.

According to the statement, the residents were temporarily conveyed to the Isa Local Government headquarters by council authorities following a rumour that bandits were planning an attack on the community. The information, which understandably caused tension and anxiety among residents, was promptly reported by the Ward Councillor, Dayyabu Sani, to the Chairman of Isa Local Government Area, Sherifu Kamarawa.

Upon receiving the report, the Chairman directed that the villagers be temporarily relocated to the Local Government headquarters as a precautionary measure to ensure their safety.
The statement further disclosed that the affected residents have since returned safely to their ancestral homes in Tidibale Village, while security agencies have intensified patrols in the area to forestall any possible breach of peace by criminal elements.
To further guarantee the safety of lives and property in Tidibale Village and surrounding communities, the Sokoto State Government has approved the establishment of a Forward Operational Base (FOB) in the area. This, according to the Government, will complement existing security formations in Isa Local Government Area.

The Sokoto State Government reassured the people of the state, particularly those in security-challenged areas, of its unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property at all times. It reaffirmed that the Government will continue to work closely with conventional security agencies, the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps, and vigilante groups to safeguard rural communities across the state.
The Government also warned against the politicisation of security issues and urged citizens to cooperate fully with the Government and security agencies in the fight against banditry, including exposing informants living within their communities.

Furthermore, members of the public were strongly advised to desist from spreading rumours, especially on security-related matters, due to their sensitive nature and the panic they often generate.