The Sokoto State Government has donated 10 Hilux operational vehicles to the Nigerian Army to strengthen security along the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway corridor.
The vehicles were formally handed over to the Headquarters of the 8 Division, Nigerian Army, in Sokoto at a ceremony attended by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo.
Goronyo, who represented the Minister of Works, David Umahi, said the donation by Governor Ahmed Aliyu was aimed at supporting military operations and enhancing security around the ongoing highway project.
He described the gesture as part of the growing partnership between the Federal and state governments towards the actualisation of President Bola Tinubu’s infrastructure development agenda.
According to him, the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway is a major national infrastructure project spanning about 1,068 kilometres across Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states.
He said the corridor would connect with the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and other major trans-regional routes, thereby enhancing connectivity and economic activities across the country.
Goronyo said the project was designed to support national economic growth, improve road safety, facilitate the movement of people and goods, and ease the evacuation of agricultural produce from farming communities.
He noted that the highway would be constructed with continuously reinforced concrete to ensure long-term durability.
The minister commended Aliyu for the donation, describing it as support for the Federal Government’s efforts to deliver critical infrastructure and strengthen security around major national projects.
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Responding, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Bemgha Koughna, who represented the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Waidi Shaibu, appreciated the state government for the gesture.
Koughna said the vehicles would enhance the Army’s operational capacity to secure the highway project, noting that there were 17 independent deployments and routine patrols along the road corridor.
He assured that the vehicles would be effectively deployed to protect the project and safeguard the lives and property of law-abiding citizens.
The GOC also commended the state government for its continued support for security agencies, saying the gesture would further strengthen efforts to protect the strategic national infrastructure.
