Residents protesting repeated attacks by suspected Lakurawa militants barricaded a major highway, leaving travellers stranded as displaced families sought shelter in neighbouring communities.
Residents of Kebbi State in northwestern Nigeria blocked the busy Jega to Kontagora highway on Saturday, October 10, 2026, to protest repeated attacks on their communities by suspected Lakurawa militants. The demonstration disrupted traffic for several hours, reportedly leaving hundreds of motorists and commuters stranded as residents demanded stronger government intervention to protect their lives, homes and livelihoods.
The protesters set bonfires across the highway, preventing vehicles from passing. Videos circulating online showed burning barricades as police officers attempted to disperse demonstrators with tear gas. Despite the intervention, some protesters initially refused to leave, expressing frustration over persistent insecurity and what they considered inadequate protection for vulnerable communities. Security personnel eventually cleared the road, allowing traffic to resume after several hours of disruption.
The demonstration followed reports of killings, kidnappings and attacks on communities around Jega Local Government Area. Residents of Alelu, Kimba, Jandutsi and Jadadi have complained that armed groups continue to threaten their safety, forcing families to abandon their homes, farms and businesses. The repeated attacks have disrupted farming activities and everyday life, leaving residents uncertain about whether they can safely return to their communities. Although suspected Lakurawa militants have been blamed for attacks in the area, the identities of those responsible for individual incidents have not been independently established.
The insecurity has also triggered displacement across parts of Kebbi and neighbouring Sokoto State. Nazeer Muhammad, a resident of Jega, said several surrounding villages had been deserted as families fled repeated attacks. He reported that displaced people from Mayama and Ungushi communities in Sokoto State were among those arriving in Jega. Some families were reportedly sleeping outdoors because available accommodation could not meet their needs, placing additional pressure on communities already struggling with insecurity.
Another resident, identified as Malam Idris, said approximately eight trucks carrying displaced people arrived in Jega on Sunday, October 11. Some of those fleeing violence reportedly found temporary accommodation in schools, while others had nowhere suitable to stay. Many depended on food, shelter and assistance provided by residents and charitable individuals. The arrival of displaced families has raised concerns about access to clean water, healthcare, education and adequate accommodation, particularly for children and other vulnerable people. The exact number of people displaced by the recent attacks has not been independently established.
In an open letter dated October 9, residents of Alelu, Kimba, Jandutsi and Jadadi appealed directly to Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris for urgent intervention. The letter, written by a resident identified as Sufiyan on behalf of the affected communities, described repeated killings, abductions and destruction of property. The residents demanded permanent security deployments along the Alelu, Kimba and Jandutsi axis, humanitarian assistance for displaced families and further engagement with the governor. Sufiyan warned that continued attacks could force more communities to abandon their homes and appealed for urgent measures to prevent further loss of life.
The state government had already acknowledged the security challenges before the latest protest. On October 5, Governor Idris visited Jandutsi, Alelu, Kimba, Fagada and other communities affected by attacks attributed to suspected bandits. During the visit, he sympathised with victims and assured residents that his administration would strengthen security arrangements and continue supporting agencies responsible for protecting lives and property. He urged residents to cooperate with security personnel and provide information that could help prevent further attacks and identify those responsible.
During his visit to affected communities in Jega and Maiyama Local Government Areas, Governor Idris also announced that the state government had ordered additional security vehicles, including armoured vehicles, to strengthen operations against armed groups. He said the vehicles and additional personnel would improve the ability of security agencies to respond quickly to threats. The governor also called for greater cooperation among neighbouring states through intelligence sharing and coordinated security efforts. Traditional leaders in Jandutsi and Andarai welcomed the government’s assistance but appealed for permanent security deployments, support for local vigilantes and temporary shelters for displaced families.
The latest demonstration also occurred against the background of earlier highway disruptions in Kebbi State. Police confirmed that protesters blocked the separate Kebbi to Sokoto Federal Highway on September 23 and again on Friday, October 9, with the second incident disrupting traffic for approximately three hours. Police said the obstructions affected motorists, traders and people requiring emergency medical attention. The authorities’ statement specifically concerned the Kebbi to Sokoto highway, while the October 10 protest was reported on the Jega to Kontagora road. The separate incidents reflected continuing frustration among residents over insecurity.
Kebbi State Police spokesperson Bashir Usman acknowledged the security challenges confronting communities around Jega, explaining that some threats originated from armed groups operating across neighbouring state boundaries. He said security personnel had continued responding to distress calls, repelling attempted attacks and intensifying operations against criminal elements. Usman also disclosed that a police inspector had recently been killed during security operations, underscoring the risks faced by officers deployed to protect affected communities.
However, the police condemned the repeated highway blockades and warned that organisers and participants could face investigation and prosecution if such disruptions continued. Commissioner of Police Umar Hadejia urged residents to express their grievances through elected representatives, traditional rulers and the Police Community Relations Committee rather than obstructing public roads. The command argued that highway blockades endangered travellers, interfered with commercial activities and could delay emergency medical assistance or security responses. It also appealed to parents and guardians to discourage young people from participating in unlawful road obstructions.
The growing insecurity has wider consequences for rural communities whose livelihoods depend heavily on farming, trading and movement between towns. Families forced to abandon agricultural land risk losing income and food supplies, while displaced children face interruptions to their education. The arrival of people fleeing violence also places additional demands on schools, accommodation and basic services in host communities. Although the government has announced additional security equipment and reinforced operations, affected residents continue to seek permanent protection that would allow them to rebuild their lives.
Although traffic has resumed on the Jega to Kontagora highway, residents say reopening the road has not resolved the threats forcing families from their homes. Their demands for permanent security deployments, assistance for displaced families and stronger protection remain central to the dispute. With communities continuing to report attacks despite previous government assurances, the immediate concern for many families is whether the promised security measures will make it safe for them to return to their homes, farms and businesses.
