Over 1,000 residents from at least 21 villages in Sokoto State have fled to Tureta town following persistent bandit attacks and threats, leaving behind deserted homes to face overcrowding and hunger in makeshift shelters.
A wave of insecurity has forced the inhabitants of at least 21 villages across Sokoto State to abandon their ancestral homes, seeking refuge in Tureta town and surrounding areas. The mass displacement, which began in earnest three days ago, follows a series of brutal incursions and credible threats of a large-scale offensive by bandits. Impacted communities include Gidan Kare, Kaware, Kuruwa, and Sha Rana, where residents reported hearing nightly gunshots and witnessing indiscriminate killings prior to their flight. “We can no longer stay in our homes. Bandits have attacked our village several times before Ramadan. Leaving there was not easy, but we had no choice,” a resident of Kuruwa village stated, highlighting the atmosphere of terror that has left many villages completely deserted.
The influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) has created a burgeoning humanitarian crisis in Tureta, where over 1,000 people are currently sleeping in overcrowded classrooms at the Abdulbaki Model Primary School. Others have sought shelter with relatives, but the sheer volume of arrivals has strained local resources, leading to severe shortages of food and basic support. Vulnerable individuals, including a pregnant woman from Hura Girke village due to give birth in a month, have lamented the lack of medical and nutritional assistance. “I am due to give birth in less than a month, but I don’t have enough food. We are suffering here,” she said. Those who could not reach the safety of Tureta are reportedly hiding in the bush at night to escape the marauding attackers.
Despite the growing crisis, there has been a notable silence from official quarters, with residents accusing the authorities of neglect. One villager from Sha Rana, who fled on Thursday evening after receiving intelligence of a planned bandit strike, appealed for immediate intervention. “Please bring us security. Do not wait until election time before coming to seek for our votes,” he urged. Efforts to obtain a response from the Special Adviser to the Sokoto State Governor on Security, Col. Usman Ahmad (rtd), and the State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Ahmad Rufai, were unsuccessful as of Friday morning. For now, the displaced residents maintain that they cannot return to their farms and homes until the government provides a permanent security presence to deter the insurgents.
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