Residents of Kebbe Local Government Area in Sokoto State have called on the Federal Government to grant them permission to bear arms for self-defence, following relentless attacks by suspected members of the Lakurawa terror group.

The appeal was made on Saturday in Sokoto during a press briefing addressed by a community leader, Alhaji Adamu Kebbe, who lamented the continuous killings and destruction of property by the marauding bandits.

According to Kebbe, the residents have been left to fend for themselves as both state and local authorities have failed to provide adequate protection. He stressed that the government’s response to the escalating violence has been slow and insufficient to curb the worsening insecurity.

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“We can no longer sleep with our two eyes closed. Our communities are being wiped out, and the government is doing little to protect us,” Kebbe stated, expressing the community’s growing frustration and fear.

The residents further urged the Federal Government to provide direct funding to local governments to enable them to equip community-based security outfits and respond more effectively to attacks.

They highlighted that Sokoto State remains one of the worst-hit regions by banditry in recent years, with violent groups such as Lakurawa and the notorious gang led by Bello Turji wreaking havoc across Isa, Sabon Birni, and Kebbe local government areas.

The community insisted that measures taken by the authorities so far have fallen far short of guaranteeing their safety.

Faced with increasing casualties and widespread displacement, the people of Kebbe declared that they may be left with no option but to defend themselves if the government fails to take decisive action.