Insecurity: Protest in Sokoto over kidnappings, attacks - Vanguard News

Anger and frustration have boiled over in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State as residents took to the streets on Friday in protest against incessant attacks, kidnappings and the worsening security situation threatening lives, livelihoods and economic activities in the area.

The protest, which reportedly drew residents from parts of the local government, was said to have been triggered by growing fears over repeated attacks and abductions allegedly carried out by armed criminals operating around vulnerable communities.

The protesters expressed deep concern over what they described as the persistent insecurity confronting the area, calling on the Federal and Sokoto State governments to take urgent and decisive measures to protect residents from further attacks.

They lamented that the continued incidents had created an atmosphere of fear, particularly among farmers, traders and rural dwellers whose livelihoods depend largely on unrestricted access to farms, markets and other economic activities.

The demonstrators reportedly demanded the deployment of more security personnel and operational assets to vulnerable communities, insisting that security agencies must intensify patrols, surveillance and intelligence-led operations to prevent further attacks.

They also appealed for stronger collaboration among the military, police and other security agencies to track down criminal elements responsible for the attacks and restore confidence among residents.

The protesters said the situation had assumed a disturbing dimension capable of undermining agricultural production and forcing residents to abandon their communities and farmlands for safer locations.

Responding to concerns over the development, the Sokoto State Police Command confirmed that it was aware of the situation and assured residents that security operatives were “on top of the situation.”

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ahmad Rufai, who confirmed the development, said the police were monitoring the situation and taking necessary measures to maintain security and protect lives and property in the affected area.

The assurance came amid heightened anxiety among residents, many of whom are demanding not only immediate security intervention but also sustained operations capable of preventing further attacks and kidnappings.

The latest protest has further highlighted the mounting security challenges confronting parts of the North-West, where banditry and kidnapping have continued to threaten rural communities, disrupt agriculture and inflict severe social and economic hardship on vulnerable populations.

Residents are therefore urging the authorities to translate assurances into visible and sustained security operations, arguing that the ultimate measure of success would be the restoration of peace and the ability of citizens to live, farm and conduct their legitimate businesses without fear.

As tension persists, stakeholders are calling for strengthened intelligence gathering, community engagement and coordinated security operations to ensure that Tambuwal and neighbouring communities do not become increasingly vulnerable to criminal elements.

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