Rising Insecurity Grips Kebbe as Residents Raise Alarm Over Bandit Attacks in Sokoto State

The communities of Kebbe Local Government Area in Sokoto State have raised the alarm over a fresh wave of bandit attacks that have left dozens dead, several kidnapped, and hundreds displaced from their homes. Residents say the rising insecurity has become unbearable, with bandits invading villages almost daily and terrorizing rural communities with impunity.

According to local sources, attacks have been reported in several settlements including Margai, Fakon Sarki, and Tunga villages, where heavily armed gunmen have carried out coordinated assaults, looting food supplies and setting houses ablaze. Many residents have fled into nearby towns or across the border to neighboring Zamfara State in search of safety. Community leaders are calling on both the Sokoto State Government and federal security agencies to intervene urgently before the situation deteriorates further.

Kebbe Residents Lament Losses, Demand Swift Government Action

The communities of Kebbe Local Government have expressed frustration over what they describe as slow and inadequate responses from security operatives. Residents lament that despite repeated reports to authorities, the attacks have continued unabated, forcing many farmers to abandon their fields and livelihoods.

A local youth leader, who spoke under anonymity, said the fear of renewed violence has crippled social and economic activities in the area. “We are living in fear every night. The bandits come in large numbers on motorcycles, and there is no help from anywhere. People are tired,” he said. Traditional rulers and elders have also appealed for the deployment of more security personnel and the establishment of a permanent military base within Kebbe to deter further incursions.

Kebbe Communities Begin to Count the Humanitarian Cost of Rising Insecurity

The communities of Kebbe Local Government are now facing a worsening humanitarian crisis, as displaced families continue to take refuge in schools and makeshift camps. Local health officials report growing concerns over food shortages, lack of medical supplies, and the spread of diseases among displaced children.

Women and children make up the majority of the displaced, with humanitarian groups calling for immediate relief support. Civil society organizations in Sokoto have urged the state government to collaborate with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other partners to provide food, shelter, and medical care. Observers warn that if left unchecked, the insecurity in Kebbe could spill over to neighboring regions, further destabilizing the state’s fragile rural communities.