Insecurity: Zamfara youths block highway, destroy vehicles in violent protest

*The Zamfara State Government laments there are more than 100 different insurgetnts’ camps and over 30,000 bandits operating across the North-West state of Nigeria and nd beyond

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

In a violent protest against the reportedly worsening state of security in the state, youths have blocked the Gusau─Kaura Namoda Highway, in Zamfara, Monday, May 31, 2021.

The angry youths armed with weapons staged a violent protest, according to eyewitnesses occupied the road very early Monday over the incessant attacks by bandits in their communities, Channels TV reported.

One of the commuters trapped along the road also explained that the youths blocked the highway along Kurya Junction and began to destroy public vehicles travelling along the road.

Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State

The restive youths were reported to have condemned the seemingly unending insecurity and attacks which the people of the area have suffered at the hands of the bandits in recent times.

The Nigeria Police operatives were said to have dispersed the protesters to ensure the free flow of vehicular movement on the road, while the demonstration was ongoing.

Report indicates that Zamfara residents have been living in fear as a result of the continued attacks by bandits on communities in various parts of the state.

One of the recent attacks was the killing of over 20 people when bandits stormed five communities in two local government areas of the state about two weeks ago.

The affected communities, including Gabaken, Rigiya, Donroyi, Torawa, and Riwoji, are located in Zurmi and Kaura Namoda Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

Ibrahim Dosara, Honourable Commissioner of Information in Zamfara State, at a press conference April 2, had noted that no fewer than 2,619 people were killed in the state between 2011 and 2019.

The Commissioner stated that bandits abducted 1,190 people from various parts of Zamfara in the last eight years.

According to Dosara, over 100,000 people were displaced from their ancestral homes as a result of bandits’ activities, while 14,378 livestock were rustled within the period.

He disclosed that noted that the Zamfara State Government has spent the sum of N970 million on payment of ransom to bandits to secure the release of kidnapped victims since 2011.

There were more than 100 different camps and over 30,000 bandits operating across Zamfara and beyond, he lamented

Dosara, however, said the state government would continue with its amnesty programme for bandits as part of measures to secure its people in the state.

Kindly Share This Story