Hundreds of residents from over 30 communities in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State have staged a large-scale protest in the state capital, decrying escalating attacks by armed bandits and the lack of government response.
The demonstrators, who arrived on foot, motorcycles, and vehicles, brought Gusau to a standstill for over two hours as they blocked major roads before converging at the entrance of the State Government House.
Holding placards with messages such as “We the people of about 30 communities need peace”, and “End Banditry in Mada, Lilo, Ruwan Bore, Fegin Baza, Bangi, others”, the protesters demanded immediate intervention from the state government.
According to them, bandit attacks have intensified in recent months, leaving hundreds dead and many displaced. Communities including Mada, Fegin Mahe, Lilo, Ruwan Bore, and Bangi have been under siege, with farming activities halted due to fear of attack.
Speaking to Leadership, one of the protesters, Abubakar Abdullahi from Fegin Mahe, said he lost several relatives and over ₦1 million worth of goods and farm inputs, including 500 bags of fertiliser, when his shop was raided by armed groups.
“The bandits come every day and night. We can’t go to our farms. They have taken our lives and livelihoods. And for three months now, no government official has even visited us,” he lamented.
Despite the intensity of the protest, no acts of violence or vandalism were reported. However, the demonstrators vowed not to leave the premises of the Government House until they receive direct attention and action from Governor Dauda Lawal.
At the time of filing this report, no state government official had addressed the crowd.
