Katsina residents block major roads in protest against bandit attacks

• Major roads affected include the Marabar-Kankara to Katsina and Kano state routes, as well as the road linking Malumfashi to Funtua and Kaduna State
  

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Residents of Kankara Local Government Area in Katsina State took to the streets on Saturday, blocking major roads to protest against ongoing bandit attacks in their communities.

The demonstrators urged the government to bolster its efforts in safeguarding lives and property. Major roads affected include the Marabar-Kankara to Katsina and Kano state routes, as well as the road linking Malumfashi to Funtua and Kaduna State.

Muhammad Sabiu, a local resident, expressed frustration over the government’s response, highlighting the severe impact on the region. “The situation in these areas is dire,” he said. “Malumfashi West, Burdugau, Unguwar-Danguna, Yar-Teba, Dangume, and Yargoje are among the worst affected.”

Sabiu reported that bodies of victims remain in the bush due to bandits blocking recovery efforts. He added that farming activities have been severely disrupted, exacerbating the hardship faced by residents.

This protest follows a recent security summit organized by the North-West Governors’ Forum and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on 24 June in Katsina. The summit, titled “Regional Cooperation for Securing Lives and Livelihoods,” aimed to address the ongoing security challenges in the region.