Tension is gradually escalating across the Sokoto metropolis as residents continue to grapple with the presence of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently serving his sentence at the Sokoto Central Correctional Centre.
The situation has caused anxiety among residents, businesses, and transport operators, particularly in the Yar Marina area, which houses the correctional facility.
The prison’s proximity to significant landmarks, including the Sultan’s Palace and Sokoto Garka, has further heightened public concern.
Many locals, including seasoned journalist, Kabiru Mohammed Gobirawa, have expressed discomfort with the heightened security presence and daily high-profile visitations.
Gobirawa recalled a similar situation in the past when the Sokoto Central Prison housed former Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Colonel Peter Obasa (retd.), following his conviction in the 1980s. However, Gobirawa noted that, unlike Kanu, Obasa did not receive frequent visitors.
“It is our hope and prayers that the IPOB leader’s presence in the state will not trigger another wave of fear and tension in a state that has been grappling with security challenges for almost a decade,” Gobirawa stated.
Kanu’s Transfer To Sokoto Sparks Anxiety
Nnamdi Kanu was transferred to Sokoto after a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced him to life imprisonment. Justice James Omotosho authorised the Department of State Services (DSS) to place him in any prison in the country, a decision that has raised concerns among legal experts.
Following Kanu’s sudden transfer, the streets surrounding Yar Marina, which houses the Sokoto Central Correctional Centre, saw immediate changes. Security checkpoints and increased patrols became visible, and movement near the facility was heavily restricted.
Yar Marina, also home to the headquarters of Police Zone 10 and the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, has witnessed increased security measures since Kanu’s arrival.
The area has a history of security incidents, including a 2016 bomb blast that killed a policeman near the AIG’s office. Additionally, the Boko Haram network, led by the notorious Kabiru Sokoto, attempted to establish a base in Sokoto that same year, leading to another bomb attack at a police station in Unguwar Rogo.
While daily life continues in Sokoto, a growing undercurrent of unease persists. Markets remain open, traffic flows, and schools operate, but the heightened security presence is casting a shadow over the city.
Trader Alhaji Sani Alfa described the public mood, saying the tension surrounding Kanu’s presence hasn’t stopped people from working but has made them more cautious.
Alfa said, “We woke up to heavy deployment around the prison. At first, we did not understand what was happening until we heard that Kanu had been brought here. Since then, things have changed. We are doing business, yes, but with fear and caution.”
Fatima Mai Masa, another resident, shared that many families have been forced to limit their movement, particularly at night.
“There are soldiers, police and vehicles moving at every hour. Even children know something is happening,” she said, expressing concern not only for Kanu’s detention but also for potential provocations from his supporters or adversaries.
The prison has now become a focal point of national attention, drawing lawyers, supporters, and top political figures.
Recently, the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, visited Kanu, a move that sent ripples of anxiety through Sokoto’s residents.
Muchedi Dan Marina, a local shop owner, explained that each visit from high-profile figures increases the tension in the area.
“You do not know who will come next or what could happen,” she said.
© 2025 Naijaonpoint, a division of NOP Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]