No ID card, no hotel room in Sokoto

‪Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto state, says from next year any guest who wants to lodge in any hotel in the state will need to have a valid identification card.

According to Imam Imam, his spokesman, the governor said this new directive became necessary in view of the precarious security situation in the country and the need to protect lives and property in the state.

Tambuwal, who spoke when his secondary school classmates paid him a visit at his residence in Sokoto, said the new policy, which he said is a standard procedure in all parts of the world, would affect both Nigerians and foreigners.

He said the implementation is delayed until next year in order to sensitise hotel owners, security agencies and the general public on the new policy.

“In other parts of the world, you cannot just go and lodge in any hotel without valid identification. However, this is not the case in Nigeria. We are introducing this policy as part of our commitment to security of the citizens,” he said.

“Sokoto has enjoyed peace but we will not relent on our oars, we will continue to do more to support our security agencies.

“If you are a foreigner, you must present your international passport with a valid Nigerian visa. If you are a Nigerian, the hotels will demand one of drivers’ licence, international passport or national ID card.”

While urging all citizens of Sokoto to be security conscious, Tambuwal appealed to the people to support security agencies, adding that responsibility for securing the state lies with all persons.

He commended the federal government for the proactive measure adopted to contain insurgency in the country.