Angry Youths Block Kebbi Road, Set To Storm Forests Over Bandits Attacks

Angry youths in Sanagi community, Kebbi State, have reportedly attempted to storm a forest in pursuit of suspected bandits following persistent attacks, killings and kidnappings, accusing the Kebbi State and Nigerian governments of failing to take decisive action to protect residents. The youths, who expressed frustration over the worsening security situation in their community, reportedly blocked a road as they considered taking matters into their own hands and confronting the armed groups allegedly terrorising the area. However, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force were seen intervening to prevent the youths from advancing into the forest where the suspected bandits were believed to be operating. The agitated youths were seen gathered along a road, with some appearing determined to move towards the forest while police officers attempted to stop them. The incident reportedly occurred at about 9am, according to a conversation captured in the video, with residents expressing fears over continued attacks and the apparent inability of authorities to end the violence. Speaking in Hausa, one of the men in the video described the anger among the youths and their determination to confront the suspected bandits. “Look at these young people you see getting angry and saying they should go into the bush,” the man said, apparently referring to their attempt to pursue the suspected bandits. When asked what was happening, one of the youths explained that the armed groups were targeting markets, killing young people and abducting residents while the government continued to fail to take effective action. “The bandits want to take over these markets. They are killing young people and abducting others. And the government keeps failing to take action. The people in the community also want to defend and hold on to this road,” the youth said. During the conversation, the man asked which community the incident was taking place in, and the response identified it as Sanagi, near Jega in Kebbi State. The discussion then turned to the extent of the insecurity, with the speakers describing attacks along roads and expressing concerns about the safety of residents and travellers. When asked what steps the government had taken to address the situation, one of the speakers responded that nothing had been done, expressing frustration over the continued attacks. “Nothing. By around 2am, there had been gunshots. We are worried about what might happen next,” the speaker said. The youth further expressed a determination to defend their community, saying residents were increasingly unwilling to flee in the face of the violence. “We are all men, and they say that if we are going to die, we should not run away from the fight. If death is inevitable, we should not be afraid to face it,” he said. The comments reflect the anger and fear among residents who believe they have been left vulnerable to armed attacks and kidnappings. Asked whether attacks had been occurring along the road, the speaker answered in the affirmative, stating that even people travelling on motorcycles were at risk. “Yes. Even motorcycles passing through the road, rather than using the farm route, are at risk. They were firing gunshots, as far as I could tell,” he said.