Man Shot As Sokoto Explodes In Protests Over Bandits’ Attacks, Kidnappings, Killings
Anger and frustration have boiled over in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State as residents have taken to the streets in protest against incessant attacks, kidnappings and the worsening security situation threatening lives, livelihoods and economic activities in the area.
One person was shot during the protest.
The young man, who was shot in the thigh during the protest, Usama Ibrahim, said security personnel fired the shot that injured him.
Residents demanded urgent deployment of security personnel to their communities.
The protesters, who were said to have come from several villages displaced by bandit attacks, blocked the Tambuwal-Jega and Tambuwal-Aleiro roads Friday morning.
A resident, who asked not to be named, said the protesters are displaced residents from communities including Margai, Girkau, Romon Liman, Romon Sarki and Masu, and organised it in the early hours of Friday to demand improved security.
He said the protest started in the morning and continued until about 1pm, adding that the protesters were demanding protection after being forced to flee their communities with their families because of repeated attacks.
Residents expressed anger over the attacks and what they described as lack of government assistance after being displaced from their communities.
In one of the videos, a large number of youths were seen chanting, “We want justice.”
Some protesters set up bonfires of tyres.
The video did not show the APC office being set ablaze.
The resident said the protesters later set fire to an APC office.
The resident also insisted that the protesters were not members of opposition political parties.
The protest came amid growing concerns over the security situation in parts of Tambuwal and Kebbe LGAs where attacks and abductions have continued to threaten residents and their livelihoods.
The residents said the insecurity had affected farming and other economic activities, with many people forced to leave their communities and seek safety in Tambuwal town.
They called on the Federal and Sokoto State governments to take urgent measures to protect residents and enable those displaced by the attacks to return to their communities.
When contacted, the Sokoto state Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said the police deployed personnel to the area and brought the situation under control before the protest ended.
Responding to concerns over the development, the Sokoto State Police Command confirmed that it was aware of the situation and assured residents that security operatives were “on top of the situation.”
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ahmad Rufai, who confirmed the development, said the police were monitoring the situation and taking necessary measures to maintain security and protect lives and property in the affected area.
The assurance came amid heightened anxiety among residents, many of whom are demanding not only immediate security intervention but also sustained operations capable of preventing further attacks and kidnappings.
