Residents of Kebbe Local Government Area have urged the Federal Government to permit civilians to bear sophisticated weapons for self-defence amid a recent surge in deadly attacks by suspected Lakurawa bandits.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat in Sokoto, community leaders said repeated raids and killings have left them unable to trust official protection.
The delegation, led by Alhaji Adamu Kebbe, accused state and local authorities of abandoning communities to the marauders.
“We can’t sleep with our two eyes closed anymore.
Our communities are being wiped out, and the government is doing little to protect us,” said Haruna, who spoke emotionally at the briefing.
The group also called on the Federal Government to disburse funds directly to local councils so they can equip and mobilise local security outfits to respond more rapidly to attacks.
They said current response times and resources are inadequate to deter well-armed gangs.
Sokoto has in recent years suffered repeated violence from emerging terror groups, with raids attributed to the Lakurawas and other gangs, including attacks that have affected Isa, Sabon Birni and Kebbe LGAs.
While the state government has acknowledged the rising threat, residents argue that implemented measures fall far short of what is needed to guarantee safety.
Security analysts say the demand for arms highlights a deepening loss of confidence in state protection and increases the risk of further violence if weapons proliferate outside formal security structures.
“If we can’t get protection from the government, then we must be allowed to protect ourselves,” another resident told reporters, summing up the hardening stance in Kebbe.
As attacks persist, residents say they face a stark choice: be left vulnerable or take up arms to defend their communities.
The federal and state authorities must now weigh whether to expand local defence options or intensify official security interventions to restore public trust.