Sokoto State in North West Nigeria is notorious for kidnapping and banditry
By ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
Terrified and exhausted by ongoing raids, killings, abductions and the mass displacement of families, residents of Kebbe Local Government Area in Sokoto State have issued a blunt ultimatum to state and federal authorities: either equip them to defend their communities or leave them to “starve to death” under mounting insecurity.
The plea — voiced at a press briefing held at the Sokoto Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) — laid bare a traumatized population pushed to a breaking point. Speakers representing the group “Concerned Citizens of Kebbe” said persistent attacks have emptied more than 30 villages and scattered hundreds of families, leaving those who remain living in constant fear.
Addressing reporters on Saturday, community leaders Adamu Haruna Kebbe and Tukur Mohammed Fakku, their voices heavy with anguish, warned that the people have been left with little choice but to consider self-defence if the authorities fail to act.
“Now, the degree of insecurity in the once peaceful villages of Kebbe have gone to it’s roof top. It has gotten to the point that compounds are now empty. Most villages are deserted. And the very few left, no longer sleeps because they have to fight to survive” the leaders pathetically echoed.
They told journalists they are witnessing funerals almost daily while promised protection remains absent. The group says those conditions have forced residents toward arming themselves — not out of a desire for violence but as a last resort to protect future generations.
“We are burying people on daily bases as we await unfulfilled promises of safety. And this thereeife, has forced us to arm ourselves not because we have the thirst for violence but as the last resort to save our generation.
“This is not rebellion, rather a cry from a grieving community on behalf of many currently been faced by untold insecurity to both the State and Federal Government demanding they either protect Nigerians or allow us to arm ourselves, give us the training, licence our weapons and leave us to defend our children, with oversight from the relevant authorities.
“And as things stands, we are ready to sell out the farmlands that sustained us for generations to raise money for weapons if nothing changes. Now, we are ready to trade our sources of livelihood (farmlands) for weapons to help secure our lives and the future of our children.
The delegation also accused officials of withholding federal allocations intended for Kebbe, citing bureaucratic obstacles that they say deepen the crisis.
They concluded with an urgent appeal: release security support, funds and relief supplies now — or formally permit and regulate community self-defence so residents can protect their families.
“We therefore urged Sokoto State and the Federal Governments to act decisively to protect us, release the funds and relief materials for our people or allow us to fight to live and defend our families”, they submitted.
