There was tension in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital on Sunday when residents of Bini village in the Maru Local Government Area of the state blocked the Gusau Government House gate.
They were protesting the withdrawal of security personnel from their village despite persistent bandits’ attacks on their community.
The villagers, who were in large numbers, blocked the Government House’s main gate in a bid to draw the attention of the state government to their predicament.
They vowed that they would not leave the Government House until the government sent security personnel to drive away the bandits currently occupying their village.
Motorists were seen stranded around the Government House area as the demonstrators blocked the major road where they sat on the road to prevent any movement of vehicles.
The leader of the protesters who gave his name as Sani Aliyu said the bandits were presently in their village, operating freely due to the presence of the security personnel.
He maintained that the bandits had almost taken over the village, lamenting that “most of the villagers have fled to other places both within and outside the state.”
He said, “We reported to the authorities about the critical situation we are in, but no action was taken, as such, we are not going anywhere.
“We will continue to be here until the state government mobilises security personnel to our village to protect us.”
Addressing the protesters on behalf of the state government, the Commissioner for Education, Wadatau Madawaki, sympathised with them and commended them for the maturity they exhibited during the demonstration.
He maintained that the bandits were on a rampage all over the state simply because they wanted the state government to reconcile with them.
“The bandits have been on the rampage these days to force the state government to have dialogue with them. “Governor Dauda Lawal has since the day he assumed office made it clear that, he would not reconcile with the bandits but will continue to fight them until they surrender,” Madawaki said.
The commissioner further explained that the state government has directed the military to deploy its personnel to the village without further delay.
“I want to on behalf of the state government sympathise with you on the situation you find yourselves in.
“The state government has directed the military to escort you back to your village and they will remain there until the situation improves,” the commissioner added.