Hundreds of residents from communities in Zamfara State, on Wednesday, blocked the entrance to the Government House in Gusau, demanding urgent action from Governor Dauda Lawal to end killings and kidnappings by bandits.

The protesters, who came from Ruwan Bore, Mada, Wonaka, Fegin Mahe, and Kanawa villages in Gusau Local Government Area, said they could no longer cope with the persistent attacks that had forced many to abandon their homes and farmlands.

Speaking to journalists, the leader of the protesters, Mallam Ibrahim, said thousands of the inhabitants of these villages had fled to other places due to insecurity challenges.

He added that farming activities had been paralysed, with the criminals allegedly imposing levies on farmers.

Ibrahim said, “Any farmer who refuses to pay the levy will either be killed or kidnapped.

“We are appealing to both the state and the federal governments to come to our aid before we finally move to other places.

“Our people are being killed while others are being kidnapped on a daily basis, and the state government is showing a nonchalant attitude towards this serious issue.

“We have paid millions of naira to bandits as ransom and levy, but they refused to allow us enjoy peace.”

The protesters have vowed to continue staying at the government house gate until their demands are met.

Governor Dauda Lawal was reportedly out of the state during the protest, while his deputy, Mallam Mani Mummuni, declined to speak to the press despite repeated efforts.

Journalists waited over three hours for a response, but the deputy governor did not come out of his residence as of the time of filing this report. (The PUNCH)