Residents of Bodinga Local Government Area in Sokoto State took to the streets on Friday, blocking the Bodinga–Sokoto highway in a protest over renewed bandit attacks that have claimed lives, displaced families, and left many residents missing.
The demonstration, which brought vehicular movement to a halt, saw angry residents demanding urgent government intervention to end the persistent insecurity plaguing their communities .
Protesters Decry Authorities' Failure to Protect Communities
Conflict journalist Bakatsine, who covers insecurity in Nigeria's North-West, reported on X (formerly Twitter) that protesters expressed frustration over the government's inability to protect them from recurring attacks .
The protesters chanted slogans in Hausa, including "Ba ma yi" (We don't want), as they barricaded both sides of the road with pieces of wood and other objects . Hundreds of men, women, and youths participated in the blockade, bringing traffic to a standstill and leaving dozens of trucks and other vehicles stranded .
Residents stated that the violence has forced many people to flee their homes, with some families becoming separated during the chaos and still searching for missing relatives . One displaced woman reportedly claimed her husband was killed during the latest attacks .
Fresh Attacks Force Mass Displacement
Local sources identified the affected villages as Danchadi, Dabagi, Karaje, and Taƙule, where armed bandits reportedly invaded, forcing families to abandon their homes .
A video shared online showed residents trekking on foot with mats and other belongings balanced on their heads as they fled to safer locations .
The latest displacement followed a Wednesday afternoon attack during which armed assailants reportedly killed two residents, including the Chief Imam of Talluje village, and spent nearly two hours shooting indiscriminately while rustling livestock .
This killing marks the third Chief Imam reportedly killed by bandits in Sokoto State within recent weeks .
Residents also reported that communities including Zango, Biri, Illela, Taƙule, Horo, and Danbaro have been deserted over fears of further attacks .
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
A resident of Sokoto metropolis told SaharaReporters that news of the attacks spread quickly, triggering panic among residents and forcing many shop owners around the Sokoto airport axis to close their businesses .
"We also witnessed a huge influx of villagers from Bodinga and other nearby rural communities. People arrived in large numbers after the attacks because they ran for safety," the resident said .
Security analysts note that addressing the root causes, including poverty, weak governance in rural areas, and the proliferation of arms, remains critical to resolving the crisis .
Authorities Yet to Comment
As of the time of filing this report, the Sokoto State Government and security agencies had not officially commented on the reported attacks or the protest .
The protest adds to a growing list of demonstrations across northwest Nigeria, where communities have repeatedly expressed outrage over banditry, kidnappings, and inadequate security responses .
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