Rising insecurity in Sokoto State has pushed youths in Shagari Local Government Area to announce plans for self-defence in the face of relentless bandit attacks that have killed scores and displaced hundreds.
The move follows a series of coordinated raids earlier this week that emptied several villages, forcing residents to abandon farmlands, livestock, and belongings as they fled to temporary camps.
Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), after an on-the-spot assessment, confirmed the displacement during a visit to the 30 Houses Estate in Shagari town, which is now overcrowded with internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Community leaders, including Hakimin ‘Yan Dundaji, Malam Muhammad Bello Magaji, and Maigarin Tungar-Barke, Muhammadu Tudu, identified the worst-hit villages as Tungar-Barke, Lungu, Aske-Dodo, Tungar-Doruwa, Zango, ‘Yan Yandu, Tungar Na’anza, and Ila.
Amid worsening food insecurity and economic hardship, youths convened an emergency online meeting this week, accusing government of failing to fulfil its constitutional duty of protecting lives and property.
Youth activist Bello Bala Shagari, grandson of former Nigerian President Shehu Shagari, said frustration in the communities had reached breaking point.
“The government has done little to protect us. We cannot sit idle while our people suffer. Self-defence may be our only remaining option,” he declared.
While stressing that youths preferred peaceful solutions, the group warned that the growing wave of killings, kidnappings, and forced displacement had become intolerable. Preparations for community-based self-defence were said to be under discussion unless urgent action was taken.
The youths called on the Sokoto State Government and the Federal Government to deploy more security forces, restore safety in the affected areas, and facilitate the safe return of displaced residents.
Security experts, however, cautioned that while community self-defence may provide short-term relief, it carries risks of escalating violence and could fuel vigilantism if not coordinated with formal security agencies.
For now, Shagari town and surrounding villages remain tense, with families packed into makeshift shelters as locals warn that time is running out for government to act decisively against the bandits.
