Women and children have staged a protest in Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State over persistent attacks, harassment and intimidation by suspected bandits, calling on the government and security agencies to urgently intervene.
Residents from no fewer than 11 communities reportedly participated in the protest. The affected communities include; Shambo, Warari, Inana, Bunu, Darangi and Shaboyu, among others.
It was gathered that several communities had been deserted following repeated attacks, forcing residents to flee to neighbouring towns for safety.
Also, the attacks have disrupted farming activities, with residents unable to access their farms to harvest their crops for fear of being attacked.
The protesters reportedly gathered on Sunday evening at the Palace of traditional rulers in Rijau town to express their grievances over the continued insecurity and the threats to their lives and livelihoods.
The demonstrators, comprising mainly women and children alongside other adults, marched through the streets of Rijau, chanting slogans in Hausa, including ‘Wayo, wayo, wayo, an cika mu da matsala’ and ‘Barayi sun kashe mu,’ expressing their distress over the attacks and killings in their communities.
The protesters appealed to the federal, state and local governments, as well as security agencies, to take urgent and decisive measures to protect lives and property in the areas.
They also called for enhanced security to enable residents to return to their communities, resume farming and other legitimate economic activities, and live without the constant fear of attacks.
As of the time of filing this report, the relevant authorities had yet to respond to the protesters’ grievances.