Kebbe indigene raises alarm over escalating insecurity

From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto

A concerned indigene of Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Zayyan Abdullahi Kuchi, has made an urgent appeal to the Federal and Sokoto State Governments to intervene in the escalating security and humanitarian crisis bedeviling Kebbe Local Government Area.

In a statement, Kuchi said the area is currently facing a severe and alarming security situation arising from persistent attacks by armed groups, including Lakurawa terrorists and other bandit groups operating within the local government area.

He said the situation “has gone beyond an ordinary security challenge and has become a serious humanitarian and socio-economic crisis that threatens the lives, livelihoods, dignity, and future of thousands of residents.”

It would be recalled that suspected Lakurawa bandits on Sunday attacked Ungushi village in Kebbe Local Government Area, resulting in the killing of two innocent citizens, while several others sustained injuries.

Three of the terrorists were neutralized by vigilantes operating in Ungushi village and its environs, who swiftly repelled the attack.

Only yesterday, the Chairman of Kebbe Local Government Area, Hon. Musa Garba Kuchi donated  N500,000 for emergency surgery on a victim of the attack who is currently receiving treatment at the Orthopaedic Hospital in Wamakko.

Kuchi lamented that recent reports have documented attacks, killings, abductions, displacement and disruption of farming and other economic activities across communities in Kebbe, including Kebbe town, Girkau, Ungushi, Kuchi, Margai, Kebbe East and Kebbe West, with many households living under constant fear of the next attack.

He further stated that the persistent attacks have forced many residents to abandon their homes and communities in search of safety, with families who previously had houses, farms and livestock suddenly becoming displaced and dependent on relatives and humanitarian support.

While commending the local government council under the leadership of Hon. Musa Garba Kuchi for providing food and cash assistance to some displaced households, he said emergency assistance alone can not resolve the problem.

He averred that what the displaced persons direly need is sustained protection, food, shelter, healthcare, education, and a credible pathway toward safe return.

He observed that insecurity has severely affected agriculture, which is the principal means of livelihood for many rural households, as farmers cannot freely access their farms for fear of being attacked or abducted, leading to reduced farming activities, loss of income, food shortages and worsening poverty.

He also warned that education and the future of young people are threatened as schools become inaccessible or unsafe.

Kuchi, therefore, called for a coordinated response involving the Federal Government, Sokoto State Government, Kebbe Local Government Council and all relevant security and humanitarian institutions to urgently increase security presence in vulnerable communities, strengthen intelligence gathering and early warning systems.

This, Kuchi.noted, was to sustainably secure access routes, protect farmers through safe farming corridors, provide immediate humanitarian assistance, rebuild abandoned communities, strengthen inter-state security coordination and address the economic drivers of vulnerability through agricultural support, vocational training and youth employment.

He called for a dedicated humanitarian and security coordination mechanism involving all stakeholders to regularly assess security incidents, displacement, food availability, school attendance and infrastructure damage, and for government to ensure accountability and continuous engagement with affected communities.

He recalled that the Nigerian Army had already indicated adjustment of its security architecture around Kebbe following recent attacks, including an August 2026 attack where Police confirmed armed fighters entered Kebbe town, saying the effort should be sustained and adequately resourced.

Kuchi stressed, “‘ The people of Kebbe should not be left to face the crisis alone and deserve to live, farm, work and educate their children without fear,” urging government to treat the situation as an urgent security and humanitarian priority.