There was tension in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State on Sunday, as inhabitants of Bini village in the Maru Local Government Area obstructed the state Government House.
The residents said they were demonstrating against the removal of security personnel from their village amid frequent attacks by bandits.
The residents, who were in large numbers, obstructed the main gate of the Government House, insisting they would not leave unless the soldiers were sent to their community.
The tense situation halted vehicular movements around the government house as the protesters occupied the main roads by sitting on the ground.
The leader of the demonstrators, who identified himself as Sani Aliyu, said bandits were currently in their village, operating freely as there were no security personnel to confront them.
According to him, the military personnel, who were previously deployed to the village to fight the bandits, were later withdrawn.
He said bandits had nearly taken over the entire community.
“Most of the villagers have fled to other places both within and outside the state.
“We reported to the authorities about the critical situation we are in, but no action was taken, as such, we are not going anywhere. We will continue to be here until the state government mobilises security personnel to our village to protect us,” Aliyu said.
Another resident, Mallam Umar Salisu, confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria that they had to flee from the community following the withdrawal of military personnel from the area.
“Before now, there were military personnel attached to our village. Some of them were killed by bandits while some were withdrawn on Sunday.
“There are no security personnel in our area now. That is why we decided to carry all our wives and children to come to Government House and seek for government’s intervention,’’ Salisu said.
Another fleeing community member, Hajia Aisha Usman, expressed displeasure at the condition of the people of the community.
“We are highly disturbed. We receive threats of attacks from bandits on a daily basis.
“There are no security personnel to protect us. We are seeking for government’s intervention,’’ she said.
Yet another community member, Malam Wakkala Gurgu said: “We decided to come to Government House to inform the government about security threats in our community.
“We want the government to take quick action as regards the security situation. Bandits are currently in our communities.
“We want government to help us and deploy security personnel to our area,’’ Gurgu said.
Addressing the protesters on behalf of the state government, the Commissioner for Education, Wadatau Madawaki, sympathised with them and commended them for the maturity they exhibited during the demonstration.
The commissioner said, “The bandits have been on the rampage these days in order to force the state government to have a dialogue with them.
“Governor Dauda Lawal has since the day he assumed office made it clear that he would not reconcile with the bandits but will continue to fight them until they surrender.”
The commissioner stated that the state government had instructed the military to send its personnel to the village immediately.
“I would like to express sympathy on behalf of the state government for the situation you are in.
“The state government has ordered the military to accompany you back to your village and they will stay there until the situation gets better,” he said.
