Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Hundreds of angry residents of Bodinga Local Government Area in Sokoto State staged a dramatic protest on Friday, blocking the Bodinga–Sokoto highway with logs and debris, stranding dozens of vehicles and demanding urgent government action after a fresh wave of deadly bandit attacks forced entire communities to flee their homes.
The blockade, which began in the early hours of Friday, July 3, 2026, brought traffic to a complete standstill along one of the state's major arteries, with trucks and other vehicles stretching for kilometres as protesters refused to yield. Footage shared by conflict journalist Bakatsine showed scores of protesters, including youths, barricading both sides of the road with pieces of wood and other objects, chanting in Hausa, "Ba ma yi" (We don't want), as they expressed their frustration over the worsening security situation.
The protest followed a series of coordinated attacks on villages in the area, with residents saying the violence had resulted in deaths, mass displacement, and the separation of families, with some people still searching for missing loved ones. Local sources identified the affected villages as Danchadi, Dabagi, Karaje and Taƙule, where armed bandits reportedly invaded, forcing families to abandon their homes. According to reports, a displaced woman alleged that her husband was killed during one of the attacks.
The attacks, believed to have been carried out by the same bandit groups terrorising the North-West, were also reported to have occurred in the villages of Zango, Biri, Illela, Horo, Danbaro and other neighbouring communities, all of which have been deserted by residents who fled in fear of further attacks. A video posted online by Bakatsine showed women and children trekking with mats and other belongings balanced on their heads as they fled to safer locations.
The latest attacks came barely 24 hours after a deadly assault on the Talluje and Chofi communities in Danchadi District on Wednesday, July 1, when armed assailants reportedly killed at least two residents, including the Chief Imam, and spent nearly two hours shooting indiscriminately while rustling livestock. The attack triggered mass displacement, with hundreds of residents fleeing on foot to safer areas in Danchadi and Bodinga town.
Speaking to SaharaReporters, a resident of Sokoto metropolis said news of the attacks quickly spread across Bodinga and communities around the Sokoto airport axis because of their proximity to the affected areas. According to him, the reports triggered panic among residents, forcing many shop owners to shut down their businesses while displaced villagers streamed into Sokoto town. "News spread that bandits were in Bodinga and communities around the Sokoto Airport. Bodinga is very close to Sokoto, so many shops around that area were closed immediately," the resident told SaharaReporters. He added, "We also witnessed a huge influx of villagers from Bodinga and other nearby rural communities. People arrived in large numbers after the attacks because they ran for safety."
The protesters accused authorities of failing to protect communities from the persistent attacks, insisting that they could no longer continue living under constant fear. They called on the Sokoto State Government and the Federal Government to urgently deploy more security personnel to affected communities and take decisive action to end the recurring attacks.
One resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to safety concerns, said: "We are tired of living in fear. Our farms are abandoned, our people are being killed and kidnapped daily, and nothing seems to be done. If the government cannot protect us, we will continue to make our voices heard." As of the time of filing this report, the Sokoto State Government and security agencies had not officially commented on the reported attacks or the protest.
The latest protest adds to a growing list of demonstrations across northwest Nigeria, where communities have repeatedly expressed outrage over banditry, kidnappings, and inadequate security responses. With the Bodinga–Sokoto highway still blocked and tensions running high, the message from the people of Bodinga is clear: they have had enough, and they will not remain silent until the government acts.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments