Sokoto State Governor, Dr Ahmed Aliyu, has donated 10 operational Toyota Hilux vehicles to strengthen security operations along the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway and other critical infrastructure corridors.
The donation was disclosed on Saturday by Abdullahi Mohammed, Special Adviser to the Minister of State for Works on Media.
According to Mohammed, the vehicles were formally commissioned and handed over to the Nigerian Army at the Headquarters of the 8 Division in Sokoto on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, performed the handover on behalf of the Minister of Works, David Umahi.
The vehicles are expected to improve the mobility and operational effectiveness of military personnel and other security agencies tasked with protecting construction workers, contractors, equipment and host communities along the highway.
Speaking at the ceremony, Goronyo described the gesture as evidence of the Sokoto State Government’s commitment to national development and the successful implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its major infrastructure projects.
He explained that the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway represents a long-standing national infrastructure vision dating back to the 1970s during the administration of former President Shehu Shagari.
However, the project remained unrealised for decades until the Tinubu administration commenced construction of the 1,068-kilometre highway in October 2024.
The minister noted that the highway will pass through Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states, with the aim of improving the movement of people and goods, reducing transportation costs, boosting trade, creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities along the route.
Goronyo stressed that adequate security was crucial to the successful and timely completion of the project, adding that the newly donated vehicles would improve the response capabilities of security personnel deployed along the corridor.
He also highlighted other major infrastructure projects being executed by the Federal Government, including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the Calabar–Abuja/Trans-Saharan corridor, the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe corridor, the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano route and the Zaria–Gusau–Sokoto corridor.
The minister commended the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their professionalism, dedication and sacrifices in protecting lives, property and critical national infrastructure. He urged personnel to remain committed to their constitutional responsibilities despite the difficult conditions under which they operate.
He further acknowledged the contributions of the National Security Adviser towards addressing security challenges associated with the project through support and coordination aimed at strengthening operations along the highway.
Goronyo reaffirmed the Ministry of Works’ commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s infrastructure development agenda in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, expressing confidence that the projects would deliver lasting benefits to Nigerians.
In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Nigerian Army’s 8 Division in Sokoto, Major General Bengba Paul Koughna, appreciated the Federal Government, the Ministry of Works and the Sokoto State Government for providing the vehicles.
Koughna said the donation would significantly improve troop mobility and response capabilities along the highway, particularly across the approximately 440-kilometre stretch covering Sokoto and Kebbi states.
He explained that soldiers regularly conduct patrols and maintain several deployment points along the route, making the additional vehicles an important boost to their operations.
The GOC assured the minister that the vehicles would be deployed effectively to protect construction workers, contractors, equipment and other stakeholders involved in the project.
He also commended retired General Sa’ad Abubakar, a representative of Hitech Construction Company, for the company’s involvement in the project.
The event was attended by retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Aliyu Garba, officials of the Federal Ministry of Works, representatives of the Sokoto State Government and other stakeholders.
The donation highlights the importance of cooperation between federal and state governments, security agencies, contractors and host communities in tackling security challenges and ensuring the safe and timely completion of major infrastructure projects.
