Youths Vandalise APC Office In Sokoto, Plan Fresh Protest Today

Indications emerged yesterday that purportedly angry youths might engage in another round of protests against the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State today.

The angry youths had last Friday in Tambuwal Local Government vandalised offices of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and blocked major highways in protest over what they called worsening insecurity, repeated bandit attacks and economic hardship in the area.

The protest paralysed commercial activities in parts of the LGA and reflected growing frustration among residents who accused government at all levels of failing to protect lives and property.

An eyewitness, Suntai, told _LEADERSHIP_ that demonstrators barricaded major roads linking Tambuwal to other parts of the state, chanting slogans and demanding urgent government intervention.

He said during the protest, the youths stormed APC offices in the area and vandalised them, alleging that the ruling party had abandoned communities bearing the brunt of banditry and kidnappings.

Residents Cite Rising Attacks, Abductions

A resident, Aminu Bashir, said the protest was triggered by a spate of attacks, abductions and killings that have continued to plague communities in Tambuwal and neighbouring LGAs.

“We can no longer sleep with our two eyes closed. Bandits attack us almost daily, kidnap our people and nobody is doing anything,” he said.

The demonstrators also decried the rising cost of living and hardship, saying the situation had become unbearable for ordinary citizens.

Another resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told _LEADERSHIP_ last night that another protest had been planned for Tuesday, September 15.

Police: No Office Was Burnt, Deployment Ongoing

When contacted for confirmation, the Police Public Relations Officer, Sokoto State Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said the APC office was not burnt down.

“No, the office was not burnt down. It was mischief. They broke the glasses, some boards and other things, but nothing was burnt. Yes, it was touched. They broke the glasses and some boards, but there was nothing like burning down the office,” he said.

On whether the command was aware of another protest slated for Tuesday, DSP Rufai said: “Yes, the command is fully aware of what is happening there. We have deployment over there. I have also informed them. We have personnel on ground there since Friday.

“You know, with any protest you just don’t leave the scene. Because of media presence, we expect there could be an uprising again. So we are always on alert.”

Community leaders in Tambuwal have called on both the state and federal governments to urgently deploy more security personnel to the area and address the root causes of banditry.

They urged youths to remain peaceful and explore dialogue in pressing their demands, warning that destruction of public and party property would not solve the security challenge.

The Sokoto State Security Adviser, Col. Ahmed Usman (rtd), has in recent weeks canvassed a coordinated approach to insecurity in the North West, combining military operations with peacebuilding and community engagement.

Calls were also made to the Sokoto State Director General, Media, Abubakar Bawa, but he did not respond and did not call back as of the time of filing this report.