Musa Na Allah Sokoto
A wave of terror has swept through Tureta and Dange/Shuni Local Government Areas of Sokoto State, where relentless attacks by armed bandits have left communities in fear, despair, and on the brink of collapse.
Families have been forced to flee their homes, with many now sleeping in the open to escape the violence.
The security situation has deteriorated to the point where hundreds of residents—mostly women and children—have not slept indoors for months. Fearing night-time raids, they now seek shelter under trees and in nearby bushes. Entire villages have been abandoned, turning once-thriving communities into desolate ghost towns.
Across both local government areas, a full-blown humanitarian crisis is unfolding. Women flee with babies strapped to their backs, often with nothing but the clothes on their bodies. With little or no access to food, clean water, or shelter, displaced residents face an uphill battle for survival.
“I haven’t entered my house in three months,” lamented Halima, a mother of four in Tureta. “Every night, we sleep with fear in our hearts, wondering if the next sound will be gunfire or the footsteps of bandits.”
Local sources report that at least a dozen communities have suffered repeated assaults.
The attackers not only loot and kidnap but also cart away hundreds of cattle, goats, and sheep, the economic backbone of these rural populations.
Malam Musa, a community elder in Dange/Shuni, expressed his anguish: “We used to farm and rear livestock to feed our families. Now our farms are deserted, our animals are gone, and all we have left is fear.”
Despite repeated pleas to both state and federal authorities, residents say official response has been slow and security deployments largely ineffective. Many feel abandoned by those meant to protect them.
“The bandits operate freely, even during the day.
“There’s no real resistance. If the government is serious, let them show us boots on the ground,” said a local youth leader.
A resident of Lambar Tureta, who requested anonymity, admitted the challenge security forces face. “The attacks are too frequent and widespread.
“The terrain is difficult, but we are doing our best alongside the security agencies.”
The psychological toll is evident, especially among children. With many schools closed or unsafe to attend, education has come to a standstill.
Experts warn that the long-term mental health implications could be severe if urgent interventions are not implemented.
Local leaders are now calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and national security chiefs to declare a state of emergency in the affected areas and deploy military forces permanently.
“Our people cannot continue to live like this,” said one traditional ruler. “We need more than words—we need action and protection.”
Civil society organizations and aid agencies have also urged the Sokoto State Government to initiate emergency relief efforts, including food supplies, medical services, and temporary shelters for the displaced.
Responding to the growing outcry, Colonel Ahmed Usman (rtd), Special Adviser on Security to the Sokoto State Governor, acknowledged the crisis and reassured residents that security operations are ongoing.
“Thanks to the tireless work of our conventional security forces and community guards, we’ve made some progress,” he said.
He reaffirmed the governor’s commitment to restoring peace. “His Excellency remains fully supportive of all efforts to secure our communities.
“We urge residents to continue cooperating with security agencies and to pray for peace.”
But for the people of Tureta and Dange/Shuni, reassurances are no longer enough.
With each night spent under the open sky, the cry for urgent, decisive action grows louder.
