Angry residents block Sokoto highway over renewed bandit attacks

Residents of Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Friday blocked the Bodinga–Sokoto highway in protest against renewed bandit attacks, demanding urgent intervention from the government.

The demonstration followed reports of fresh attacks on several communities that allegedly left several people dead, displaced many families, and resulted in others being declared missing.

According to conflict and insecurity journalist Bakatsine, who shared details of the incident in a post on X, the protesters accused authorities of failing to protect communities from the recurring bandit attacks.

The demonstrators called on the government and security agencies to take immediate action to restore peace and improve security across the affected communities.

According to him, residents said the violence had forced many people to flee their homes, while some families had become separated in the chaos and were still searching for missing relatives.

Bakatsine wrote: “UPDATE: A protest is ongoing in Bodinga, where residents have blocked the major road in the LGA (Bodinga-Sokoto way) to demand urgent government intervention following renewed bandit attacks on villages in the area.

“Residents say the attacks have left people dead, displaced families and separated relatives, with some still searching for missing loved ones.”

Earlier, Bakatsine shared a video showing residents trekking on foot after fleeing their communities following the reported attacks.

He said local sources identified the affected villages as Danchadi, Dabagi, Karaje and Taƙule, where armed bandits reportedly invaded, forcing families to abandon their homes.

According to the reports, a displaced woman alleged that her husband was killed during the attack.

Bakatsine also reported that residents of Zango, Biri, Illela, Taƙule, Horo, Danbaro and other neighbouring communities had deserted their villages over fears of further attacks.

As of the time of filing this report, the Sokoto State Government and security agencies had not officially commented on the reported attacks or the protest

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