Youths in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State have reportedly vandalised and set fire to an office of the All Progressives Congress (APC) while blocking major highways in the area during a protest over worsening insecurity and economic hardship.
The youths took to the streets to express their anger over what they described as the deteriorating security situation and the growing economic hardship confronting residents.
Footage seen by SaharaReporters showed a large crowd of youths gathered along a major road, with some reportedly vandalising properties and disrupting vehicular movement by blocking the highway.
The protest comes amid mounting concerns over insecurity across parts of the North-West, particularly following repeated attacks by terrorists and the reported imposition of levies and other demands on affected communities.
In a related development, terrorists operating in Zamfara State reportedly invaded an open market in Talata Mafara Local Government Area and issued residents a seven-day ultimatum to raise ₦50 million, 50 cattle and 50 sheep, or face another attack.
SaharaReporters had reported that the terrorists recently stormed the market and warned residents to meet the demands within seven days.
Residents who spoke to the publication on Thursday attributed the latest threat to what they described as the repeated failure of the government and security agencies to prevent attacks in the area.
“This is happening because the government and security agencies have failed to stop these terrorists from attacking us. They have come here several times, and nothing has been done to prevent them from coming back,” one resident told SaharaReporters.
According to the residents, the terrorists had carried out several attacks in the area, seized farmlands and rustled cattle belonging to villagers, with little or no visible resistance from security forces.
“They have taken our farmlands and rustled our cattle, but we have not seen any serious response from the security agencies. Now they have become so bold that they can enter our market and give us a deadline to bring them money and animals,” another resident said.
The residents said the alleged lack of decisive intervention had emboldened the terrorists to return openly to communities and issue demands to residents they had previously attacked.
“They are now behaving as if they own this community. They attack us, take our farms and animals, and leave without being stopped. That is why they have the confidence to come back and tell us what we must pay,” the resident said.
Another resident said the terrorists appeared increasingly emboldened because previous attacks had allegedly not attracted a decisive security response.
“They have become very boastful because every time they attack, there is no decisive response. They are now daring the people openly, and that is why this latest demand is frightening,” the resident said.
The latest development followed a deadly attack on communities in Sauna Ward of Talata Mafara LGA in July, where terrorists reportedly killed 22 farmers working on their farmlands.
The attackers, said to have arrived in large numbers on motorcycles, reportedly crossed the Anka–Mayanchi highway and passed through several communities, including Ruwan Gora, Zauren Gora, Tulluwa, Unguwar Shanu, Tsangaya and Tundun Namali, before reaching Sauna.
Residents said the terrorists travelled almost 50 kilometres through several communities before reaching their targets.
The attack reportedly occurred in broad daylight, beginning at about 2pm and lasting until around 5pm, while an unspecified number of animals were also allegedly rustled during the assault.
The protest in Tambuwal underscores the growing public anger over insecurity and economic hardship in parts of the North-West, as residents increasingly demand stronger action from government and security agencies.
