Hundreds of Displaced Villagers Storm Zamfara Government House, Seek Protection from Bandit Attacks

Hundreds of villagers from the Bini community in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara stormed the Government House in Gusau on Sunday, urgently seeking protection from the escalating bandit attacks in the area. The mass exodus comes after the withdrawal of military personnel from the region, leaving the villagers vulnerable to violent incursions.

Speaking to reporters, Malam Umar Salisu, one of the fleeing villagers, explained that the military’s departure had left their community defenseless. “Before, we had military personnel stationed in our village. Some of them were killed by bandits, and others were withdrawn on Sunday. Now, there is no security presence. We had to take our families and seek help from the government,” he said.

Another displaced villager, Hajia Aisha Usman, voiced her concern over the deteriorating security situation in Bini. “We receive daily threats from bandits, and with no security personnel to protect us, we’re living in constant fear. We need the government’s intervention,” she stated.

At the time the villagers arrived at the Government House, Governor Dauda Lawal was absent, reportedly attending a forum in the United States alongside other Northwest governors. Addressing the villagers on behalf of the state government, the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Alhaji Wadatau Madawaki, indicated that the pressure from bandits had increased due to the government’s refusal to negotiate with them.

Madawaki assured the villagers that plans were underway to escort them back to their community with security operatives. However, given the severity of the situation, many residents remain wary of returning without a significant security presence.

In a related incident, bandits struck Tsafe town in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara on Sunday, killing five people, including a 4-year-old girl. According to local sources, the bandits rode into town on motorbikes and opened fire, causing panic among residents. Aminu Musa, a resident, reported that the bandits shot indiscriminately, killing five people, including the young girl who was shot in the chest.

“The bandits just started firing at anyone they saw. This is the second time they’ve attacked Tsafe town,” Musa added.

Ibrahim Kabir Tsafe, another local resident, urged the federal and state governments to deploy additional security personnel to protect the town. The authorities, however, have yet to provide a concrete response to the escalating violence in the area.

While a combined team of additional security personnel comprising police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Community Protection Guards (CPG) was deployed to Tsafe to maintain order, residents remain on edge, fearing further attacks.

Efforts to contact the Zamfara Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Shehu Dalijan, and the police spokesman, Yazid Abubakar, were unsuccessful, as they did not respond to calls or messages.