…Versed By the Abduction Of 150 Persons in Sokoto In a Attack.
By Charles Edet
In a bold move, thousands of residents from Gobir in Sokoto State have taken to the forests to confront bandits and rescue their abducted loved ones.
The group, comprising men and women, aims to free 150 kidnapped individuals and recover the body of the slain district head, Isa Mohammad Bawa.
Nigerians praise the bold action of the Sokoto residents’ and their courage to go after the terrorists without fear of the mortal consequences..
“I commend the people of Sokoto for taking matters into their own hands. It’s indeed, time for Nigerians to rise up and defend themselves against these bandits,” said a resident, Musa Ibrahim.
“The security agencies have failed us, and it’s up to us to protect ourselves. I praise the courage of the Sokoto residents and hope others will follow their example,” said an Abuja resident an indigene of Sokoto, Alhaji Isa Abdullahi.
The residents’ decision comes after the continuous failure of security forces to address the banditry and kidnapping in the area. On August 21, 2024, bandits brutally killed the Sarkin Gobir of Gatawa District, Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, after abducting, torturing, and dehumanizing him. Following the traditional ruler’s murder, bandits attacked Gobir town and abducted over 150 mourners.
The Nigerian police have denied the kidnapping claims, but the residents are determined to take action. In a viral video, the residents can be seen marching into the forest, chanting war songs and invoking Allah’s name. “It’s fight to finish! It’s either us or them (bandits), no going back,” they chanted, showcasing their determination to confront the bandits and rescue their abducted relations.
This development highlights the growing frustration and desperation among communities affected by banditry and kidnapping in Nigeria, as they increasingly take matters into their own hands in the face of perceived government security architectural network inaction.
The information on the current situation in Sokoto deserves very stern approach before the situation worsen like the zamfara situation where bandits have turned it to be their operational abode.
However, it’s a truism to state that the security situation in Sokoto has been deteriorating recently, there have been reports of increased military operations in Zamfara, which have caused non-State armed groups to move into parts of Sokoto State.