We are tired of burying our people – Kebbi communities seek urgent security intervention

Communities in the Alelu, Kimba, Jandutsi and Jadadi villages of Kebbi State's Jega Local Government Area have called for immediate government action to address a surge in violent attacks. In a letter dated October 9, 2026, resident Sufiyan spoke for the affected communities, expressing their exhaustion from the continuous loss of life and destruction of property.

"We are tired of burying our people," Sufiyan wrote, "the night has become something to fear." The attacks have driven residents from their farms and homes, displacing children within the state. The affected individuals appealed to Governor Nasir Idris for urgent intervention, with three key demands: the deployment of permanent security personnel along the Alelu-Kimba-Jandutsi route, humanitarian aid for those whose homes have been destroyed, and a gubernatorial visit to assess the situation firsthand.

"If these villages die, the heart of Kebbi has been killed," Sufiyan added, emphasizing the gravity of the crisis. The Kebbi State Police Command acknowledged the security challenges faced by the affected communities. Public Relations Officer ASP Bashir Usman informed the public that authorities were responding to distress calls and intensifying operations against criminal elements.

However, Usman attributed the threat partly to its cross-border nature, suggesting the issue originated from a neighboring state. The police force reported a casualty during its operations, with a police inspector recently losing his life. The command urged residents not to block the Kebbi-Sokoto Highway in protest, cautioning that such actions could endanger other road users and divert resources from ongoing operations.