Residents of Kebbe Local Government Area in Sokoto State have appealed to the Federal Government to permit communities to bear arms for self-defence, saying repeated bandit raids have left them exposed and official protection inadequate.

Community leaders, led by Alhaji Adamu Kebbe, said at a press briefing in Sokoto that the security situation has deteriorated sharply, resulting in deaths and widespread property destruction.

They accused state and local authorities of abandoning the communities, saying responses to attacks have been slow and ineffective.

“We can’t sleep with our two eyes closed anymore,” a resident identified as Haruna told journalists. “Our communities are being wiped out, and the government is doing little to protect us.”

They warned that continued inaction could force residents to take security into their own hands. “If we can’t get protection from the government, then we must be allowed to protect ourselves,” one delegation member said, urging legal backing for communal defence.

The group also called on the Federal Government to provide direct funding to local councils so they can better equip community security outfits and respond faster to raids.

They argued that local funding and sanctioned armament would shorten response times and deter further attacks.