Zamfara residents storm streets, protest incessant killings by bandits
The heart of Zamfara’s capital stood still on Wednesday as hundreds of frustrated and grieving residents poured into the streets to raise the alarm over what they described as daily mass killings by bandits in Gusau Local Government Area.
The demonstrators—on foot, motorcycles, and inside vehicles—blocked key roads leading into Gusau for over two hours.
Chanting sorrowful protest songs and waving placards, they demanded an urgent response from the state government to the unchecked violence that has plagued their villages for months.
Some of the placards bore chilling inscriptions like, “We the people of about 30 communities of Gusau need peace and want to be rescued from bandits,” and “Peace is our concern as we are being killed every day. “End banditry in Mada, Lilo, Ruwan Bore, Fegin Baza, Bangi, others.”
Many protesters said they came from villages now considered uninhabitable due to frequent attacks.
Mada, Ruwan Bore, Fegin Baza, Bangi, Lilo, Wonaka, and Fegin Mahe were among the communities where locals say gunmen strike almost daily, killing, abducting, and stealing without restraint.
“We are tired of crying,” said Abubakar Abdullahi, a protester from Fegin Mahe, whose pain was raw as he recounted his losses.
“Our communities are in danger, and no one from the government has come to sympathize with us since this crisis intensified about three months ago.”
Abdullahi, a farmer and businessman, said he had not only lost family members but also suffered massive financial losses. According to him, bandits looted 500 bags of fertilizer from his shop, each worth ₦65,000, amounting to more than ₦1m in damages.
Protesters also lamented that they could no longer go to their farms, despite the ongoing rainy season.
After the killings, they said, the attackers have destroyed homes and food supplies, leaving them in hunger and fear.
While the protest remained peaceful and no property was damaged, several of those who took part vowed not to return to their communities unless the government responds swiftly and decisively to their demands.
In a response to the demonstration, the Chairman of Gusau Local Government Council, Hon. Abubakar Iman represented by Aminu Wakili Mada acknowledged the concerns raised.
He confirmed the intensity of attacks in places like Mada, Ruwan Bore, and Fegin Mahe and said the government was working with security agencies to restore peace.
“We are aware of the suffering of our people,” the chairman’s representative said.
“The state government is committed to ending these attacks, and security personnel will soon be deployed to the most affected areas.”
He also assured that further engagement with affected communities was underway as part of the state-wide security response.
Zamfara residents storm streets, protest incessant killings by bandits
