Dozens of communities in Gusau Local Government Area of north-west Nigeria’s Zamfara State have united in protest over what they describe as unchecked killings, abductions, and the destruction of livelihoods by armed bandits.
In a dramatic demonstration on Wednesday, hundreds of residents flooded the streets of Gusau, paralysing traffic and converging at the Government House to demand action from the state administration.
Bearing placards with messages such as “Peace is our concern—we are being killed every day”, the protesters recounted a grim picture of constant raids, displacement, and blocked access to farmland during the current planting season.
“We have lost everything. The bandits operate freely in over 30 villages, and nobody has come to our aid,” said Abubakar Abdullahi, a businessman and farmer who claimed to have lost family members and goods worth over ₦1 million in recent attacks.
The communities affected—including Mada, Ruwan Bore, Fegin Baza, Bangi, Wonaka, and Lilo—say they have endured daily assaults for months, with little to no visible security intervention or government presence.
While the protest remained peaceful, the tone was one of anger and desperation, with residents refusing to leave the Government House gates until Governor Dauda Lawal or his representatives address them directly.
Observers note that the current wave of protests reflects mounting public frustration in Nigeria’s north-west, where banditry has displaced thousands and worsened food insecurity.
As of press time, no state officials had come forward to engage with the protesters.
