Insecurity: Sokoto families abandon homes as 30 communities protest in Zamfara

By Musa Ubandawaki & Idris Salisu

Widespread fear has led to mass displacements in Tureta and Dange/Shuni Local Government Areas of Sokoto State, as relentless bandit attacks continue to ravage communities, forcing hundreds of families to flee their homes in desperation.

For months, residents — primarily women and children — have fled under the cover of night, seeking refuge in open spaces, bushes, and under trees, unable to sleep indoors due to the persistent threat of violence.

“I have not entered my house in three months,” said Halima, a displaced mother of four from Tureta.

“Every night, we sleep under a tree. We live in fear, not knowing if the next sound we hear will be the bandits.”

Protest in Zamfara

Meanwhile, residents from over 30 villages in Dan-Isa and Kagara districts of Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State staged a peaceful protest in Gusau, the state capital, on Thursday.

They called for urgent government intervention to address the escalating insecurity in their communities.

The protesters — mostly women and children — marched through the streets of Gusau, carrying placards with messages such as: “We Need Peace in Kaura-Namoda Villages,” “Governor Dauda Lawal and Matawalle Should Rescue Us,” and “Our People Are Being Killed Daily.”

Addressing journalists in front of the Government House in Gusau, one of the community leaders, Lawal Kamilu from Dan-Isa, described the protest as a desperate cry for help following years of relentless bandit attacks, kidnappings, and killings.

“We came from about 30 villages. Most of us here are women and children because many of our men have either been killed or kidnapped by bandits,” Kamilu said.

According to him, hundreds of people have lost their lives, while many others remain in captivity, with ransom demands often running into millions of Naira.

“We have sold our farms and properties just to secure the release of our loved ones. We are now left with nothing,” he added.

The protesters called on Governor Dauda Lawal, Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle, and President Bola Tinubu to urgently address the deteriorating security situation in the state.

“We are begging all relevant authorities to rescue us from the grip of these bandits. Zamfara is now at the mercy of God,” Kamilu pleaded.

Security personnel, including police and other agencies, were deployed around the Government House and key locations in Gusau to ensure the protest remained peaceful.

Sokoto Crisis Deepens

In Sokoto, more than a dozen villages across Tureta and Dange/Shuni LGAs have been subjected to repeated invasions. Armed groups have looted homes, rustled livestock, and abducted residents with impunity, worsening the region’s humanitarian crisis.

The local economy — primarily livestock rearing and small-scale farming — has been decimated. Villagers report losing hundreds of cattle, goats, and sheep, plunging many into extreme poverty and hunger.

“We used to farm and rear animals. That was how we survived,” said Malam Musa, a village elder in Dange/Shuni. “Now we have nothing. The bandits have taken everything.”

Community leaders and residents have repeatedly appealed to security agencies and state authorities, lamenting the lack of sustained protection and the growing audacity of the attackers. A senior official in Tureta LGA, who requested anonymity, admitted the severity of the crisis.

“We are working with security agencies, but the terrain and frequency of attacks have overwhelmed our efforts,” the official said.

Children are among the worst affected. Many schools have either shut down or become inaccessible due to insecurity, raising concerns about long-term psychological trauma and a collapse in education across the region.

Amid rising pressure, community leaders are urging the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the affected areas and deploy a permanent military presence to restore law and order.

Humanitarian organisations and civil society groups are also calling on the Sokoto State Government to provide immediate emergency relief — including food, shelter, and medical assistance — to displaced families.

Government reacts

In response, Colonel Ahmed Usman (rtd), Special Adviser to the Sokoto State Governor on Security Matters, acknowledged the crisis but maintained that the government is taking steps to restore peace.

“The state is conducting ongoing operations in collaboration with security operatives, which have yielded significant success,” Col. Usman said.

“Thanks to the tireless efforts of our conventional security forces and community guards, we are working closely with community leaders to restore normalcy. His Excellency, the Governor of Sokoto, is fully committed to supporting all security efforts.”

Col. Usman appealed for continued public support and prayers, expressing optimism that the state would overcome its current security challenges.

As the dry season approaches — a period typically marked by heightened bandit activity — pressure continues to mount for urgent and decisive action. For the people of Tureta and Dange/Shuni, the return of peace, safety, and dignity remains a long-overdue necessity.

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