Zamfara youths block Deputy Governor’s convoy, chant ‘we don’t want you’

By Abdullahi Abdullahi

Angry youths in Gwashi town, Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Sunday blocked the convoy of Deputy Governor Mani Malam Mumini, preventing him from entering the community during a visit to sympathise with residents over a deadly bandit attack.

The youths, protesting what they described as the government’s failure to protect their community from repeated attacks by armed bandits, barricaded the road leading into the town as the deputy governor’s convoy approached.

Residents said the protesters chanted “Bamayi”, a Hausa expression meaning “We don’t want you”, to express their displeasure with the state government’s handling of the security situation.

The deputy governor had reportedly travelled to the community following an attack that claimed the lives of at least nine security personnel and several civilians.

The protesters were said to be particularly angered by the failure of government officials to visit the community immediately after the attack, when residents were mourning their dead.

Two residents, Lauwali Abubakar and Bawa Suleiman, confirmed that the youths prevented Mumini and his entourage from gaining access to the town.

Another resident name withheld, said the protest reflected the community’s frustration over the loss of lives and the government's response to the killings.

“The people are angry. We lost nine security personnel and many innocent citizens. Nobody from government came when we were under attack and mourning our people. Now they are here, we don’t want them,” Garba said.

The situation reportedly became tense as the protesters continued to resist the deputy governor’s entry into the community.

Mumini and members of his security team were said to have taken cover amid fears that the confrontation could escalate into violence.

Although there were reports that the convoy came under attack, available accounts did not establish whether any member of the deputy governor’s entourage sustained injuries.

Bukkuyum Local Government Area has suffered repeated attacks by armed groups, leaving residents increasingly concerned about the persistent insecurity and the loss of lives in their communities.

The latest attack in Gwashi, which killed security personnel and civilians, has further heightened public anger, with residents demanding more effective measures to protect lives and property.

As of the time of filing this report, the deputy governor and his entourage were reportedly unable to leave the area safely and were awaiting security reinforcements.

The Zamfara State Government had yet to issue an official statement on the confrontation or the reported obstruction of the deputy governor’s convoy.