Young people in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State say they may be forced to arm themselves if government security agencies continue to fail in protecting them from bandits.
The youths, in a statement led by activist Bello Bala Shagari, said they had run out of patience after months of repeated attacks, kidnappings, and killings that have displaced families and crippled farming in their communities.
Shagari, a grandson of former President Shehu Shagari, said the situation had reached a last-resort decision, stressing that self-defence may be the only way left to protect lives and property.
“We cannot keep quiet while our people are being killed and humiliated daily. Government has failed to protect us, and we may have no choice but to defend ourselves,” he warned.
The group appealed to both the Sokoto State and Federal Governments to urgently send more security personnel to Shagari and surrounding areas.
They said communities needed action on the ground, not more promises.
Sokoto, along with Zamfara, Katsina, and Kebbi, has suffered years of armed raids and kidnappings.
Despite military operations, rural communities say they are still abandoned to their fate, facing killings, extortion, and forced levies from bandits.
