Thousands Flee as Nigerian Gang Leader Threatens Violence in Sokoto State

Thousands of residents have fled parts of Sokoto State in northwestern Nigeria after a suspected gang leader threatened to kill people in several communities, officials and residents said on Wednesday.

The mass displacement followed a recorded audio message in which the alleged gang leader warned that anyone who resisted his group would be killed. Local authorities confirmed that the threat triggered panic, prompting families to abandon their homes and seek safety in neighbouring areas.

State and local officials said security forces were deployed to affected communities to restore calm and protect civilians. Patrols by military and police units increased after reports of armed men moving around villages and towns in the state.

Residents who spoke to Reuters said they fled with only essential belongings, fearful of reprisal attacks. “We had no choice but to leave when we heard he would kill anyone who stood in his way,” one displaced person said, describing the tense atmosphere in the area.

Sokoto State has seen a rise in criminal activity and clashes involving armed groups in recent years, contributing to insecurity that has displaced thousands across the northwest region. Local leaders called on federal authorities to bolster efforts to disarm gangs and improve community security.

Officials said they were also working with humanitarian partners to provide food, shelter and medical assistance to those displaced by the threats.

SOURCE: Reuters