Zamfara residents protest military withdrawal, block troops’ convoy during exit

Residents of Bindin and nearby communities in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State have protested the reported withdrawal of military personnel from their area, following a series of deadly attacks by bandits.
This was shared by security analyst, Bakatsine on X.

Thousands of residents, including women dressed in hijabs, reportedly took to the streets on Wednesday and blocked an army convoy to prevent the soldiers from leaving the community.

The protest followed attacks allegedly carried out by fighters loyal to notorious bandit leader Kachalla Gwaska Dankarami in Bindin and Gobirawar Chali.

According to him, residents said the attacks resulted in the deaths of several security personnel and civilians, while more than 10,000 people were forced to abandon their homes and seek refuge in safer areas.

Those protesting said the continued presence of soldiers was crucial to their safety, expressing fears that their withdrawal could leave the communities exposed to further attacks.

“We cannot afford to lose the soldiers at this time. Their presence is the only thing giving us some sense of security,” one resident said.

Another resident appealed to the authorities to reverse the reported decision to withdraw the troops.

“If the soldiers leave, who will protect us? We are already living in fear after what happened,” the resident said.

The protesters reportedly insisted that the military convoy should remain in the area, warning that the departure of the troops could create a security gap that bandits might exploit to attack other communities.

The recent attacks have also triggered fresh displacement, with thousands of residents reportedly fleeing their homes for locations they consider safer.

The residents called on the Federal Government and security agencies to maintain adequate military presence in the affected communities and intensify efforts to protect lives and property.

They also appealed for immediate support for displaced residents.