By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
Worried by the consistent attacks, killings, maiming and abduction of their loved ones as well as the displacement of thousands of locals from their ancestral communties, the people of Kebbe local government area in Sokoto have asked the Federal and State Government very pathetic question of whether they should be equiped to defend themselves or left to starve to death because of insecurity.
The residents’ frustration which was brought to limelight during a press conference at the Sokoto Secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), saw a visibly truamatized people that are at the crossroads of either self defence as the only option to survive.
Addressing newsmen Saturday, the people under rhe Auspices of “Concerned Citizens Of Kebbe” said they have now been pushed to the edge and would be left with no further option but to take up arms in self defence if those saddled with the constitutional responsibly to protect them doesn’t act fast.
Leaders of the group, Adamu Haruna Kebbe and Tukur Mohammed Fakku whose voices were filled with spoke with raw anguish said over 30 villages are now deserted in Kebbe local government with hundreds of families scattered while the few still remaining knows no happiness any longer.
“Now, the degree of insecurity in the once peaceful villages of Kebbe have gone to it’s roof top. It has gotten to the point that compounds are now empty. Most villages are deserted. And the very few left, no longer sleeps because they have to fight to survive” the leaders patethically echoed.
Continuingly, they said,” We are burying people on daily bases as we await unfulfilled promises of safety. And this thereeife, has forced us to arm ourselves not because we have the thirst for violence but as the last resort to save our generation.
“This is not rebellion, rather a cry from a grieving community on behalf of many currently been faced by untold insecurity to both the State and Federal Government demanding they either protect Nigerians or allow us to arm ourselves, give us the training, licence our weapons and leave us to defend our children, with oversight from the relevant authorities.
“And as things stands, we are ready to sell out the farmlands that sustained us for generations to raise money for weapons if nothing changes. Now, we are ready to trade our sources of livelihood (farmlands) for weapons to help secure our lives and the future of our children.
‘To worsen our pains, is the fact that, the Federal allocations meant for Kebbe have been withheld on grounds of bureaucracy
“We therefore urged Sokoto State and the Federal Governments to act decisively to protect us, release the funds and relief materials for our people or allow us to fight to live and defend our families”. They submitted.
