By Kamaldeen Ibrahim, Sokoto
Hundreds of residents in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State have fled their homes after coordinated attacks by bandits that left entire villages deserted.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) confirmed the mass displacement during a joint assessment visit to a temporary Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at the 30 Houses Estate in Shagari town on Friday.

Community leaders, including the Hakimin ‘Yan Dundaji, Malam Magaji, and the Maigarin Tungar-Barke, Muhammadu Tudu, said the bandits struck three days earlier, forcing families from at least eight communities to abandon their homes.

The affected villages include Tungar-Barke, Lungu, Aske-Dodo, Tungar-Doruwa, Zango, ‘Yan Yandu, Tungar Na’anza, and Ila. Many of the displaced now live in overcrowded makeshift shelters with little access to food and basic necessities.

“This crisis is beyond what the communities can bear. We need protection and immediate relief,” an elderly displaced resident told the visiting officials.

The victims appealed for urgent government intervention, particularly the deployment of security operatives to reclaim their ancestral homes and guarantee their safe return.

Sokoto SEMA said it was working with NEMA and other relevant agencies to provide relief materials while liaising with security authorities to restore peace and normalcy in the affected areas.