Youths in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State have threatened to take up arms in self-defence following repeated bandit attacks and an upsurge in kidnappings that have left residents living in fear.
In a statement signed on Thursday by youth activist Bello Bala Shagari, an online meeting of Shagari youths expressed deep concern over what they described as the government’s failure to protect lives and property in their communities.
They lamented that bandit attacks, which have persisted for months, have displaced families, crippled farming activities, and exposed residents to constant danger.
Mr. Shagari, a grandson of former Nigerian President Shehu Shagari, said the youths had reached “a last-resort decision” to defend themselves and their communities in the face of relentless attacks and humiliation.
“The government has done little to protect us. We cannot sit idle while our people suffer. Self-defence may be our only remaining option. Although the youths preferred peace, we could no longer watch while lives were being lost, and property destroyed on a daily basis,” he said.
The group called on both the Sokoto State Government and the Federal Government to urgently deploy adequate security personnel to Shagari and surrounding local government areas.
They stressed that proactive action, rather than promises, was needed to restore confidence and prevent a descent into lawlessness.
However, security analysts warned that communities resorting to armed self-defence could escalate violence.