Residents of Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Friday staged a protest over the worsening wave of bandit attacks in the state
The demonstrators blocked the busy Sokoto–Jega–Yauri federal highway to demand urgent government intervention with burning of tyres and logs.
The activities of the protesters disrupted traffic for several hours as they expressed frustration over repeated attacks that have reportedly left many people dead, displaced hundreds of residents, and forced entire communities to flee their homes.
The protest followed coordinated attacks by suspected bandits on several villages in Bodinga LGA on Thursday, during which residents said an unspecified number of people were killed while others were abducted.
One resident, who requested anonymity, said the protest was organised to draw the attention of authorities to the deteriorating security situation.
“We want the government to act before more innocent people are killed. Entire communities have been displaced. If you visit schools and the new market in Bodinga, you will find families who have abandoned their villages because of these attacks,”
The demonstration turned tense after some vehicles, including a bus belonging to the Kebbi State Transport Authority (KSTA), were reportedly vandalised before security personnel dispersed the protesters and reopened the highway.
Displaced residents taking shelter in Bodinga recounted how armed attackers invaded their communities, forcing them to flee for safety.
A resident from Kyaula village said the gunmen stormed the community shooting indiscriminately.
“They came firing everywhere. We escaped to save our lives. Some people were killed while others were abducted, but I cannot confirm the exact number,” he said.
Another resident identified the affected communities as Kyaula, Keloji, Chohi Takule, Kulodo and Kwamtsi villages, alleging that the attackers operated from about 2 p.m. on Thursday until the early hours of Friday without significant resistance.
The renewed attacks highlight the persistent insecurity confronting several communities in Sokoto State, where residents continue to face recurring incidents of killings, kidnappings and displacement despite ongoing security operations.
Following the protest, senior government officials, including the Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tukur Bala Bodinga, Secretary to the State Government Muhammad Bello Sifawa, the Chairman of Bodinga Local Government Area, the District Head, security chiefs, and the member representing Bodinga, Dange-Shuni and Tureta Federal Constituency, Hon. Nasiru Shehu Bobo, visited the area to sympathise with victims and assess the security situation.
Speaking to journalists, Bobo described the attacks as unfortunate and disclosed that additional security personnel had been deployed to restore peace in the affected communities.
The Sokoto State Police Command also confirmed the incident. Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said security operatives had been conducting operations in the area from Thursday afternoon until about 3 a.m. on Friday, adding that more personnel had been deployed to restore normalcy, reopen the highway and strengthen security across the affected communities.
(The Whistler)
