Residents of Kebbe Local Government Area in Sokoto State have asked the Federal Government to allow them carry sophisticated weapons to defend themselves against rising bandit attacks.
The demand was made on Saturday during a press conference at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat in Sokoto, where community leaders and residents spoke about repeated killings and destruction caused by suspected Lakurawa bandits.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Alhaji Adamu Kebbe accused both the state and local governments of abandoning the people to their fate. He said security measures in place have failed to protect communities from attacks.
Another resident, Haruna, said, “We can’t sleep with our two eyes closed anymore. Our communities are being wiped out, and the government is doing little to protect us.”
The community leaders also called for direct funding for local governments, saying this would help strengthen local security outfits and improve their response to bandit raids.
Sokoto State has remained one of the states worst affected by armed groups in recent years, with violent gangs such as the Lakurawas and the faction led by Bello Turji attacking Isa, Sabon Birni, and Kebbe areas.
Although the state government has admitted that banditry is a growing threat, residents insist that the response has been too slow and inadequate.
“If we can’t get protection from the government, then we must be allowed to protect ourselves,” another resident declared at the press briefing.
In September, youths from Shagari Local Government Area also threatened to arm themselves due to continuous bandit raids and kidnappings that have affected farming, families, and local businesses.
Former Governor Aminu Tambuwal earlier urged the Federal Government to deploy more security forces to the state, warning that the crisis was worsening daily.
Apart from insecurity, Sokoto has also been battling humanitarian challenges, including a cholera outbreak among displaced persons forced from their homes by bandit attacks.
Security experts have warned that calls for self-defence show that communities are losing confidence in government protection and urged urgent intervention to stop the violence.
