Residents of Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Friday staged a protest, blocking the Bodinga–Sokoto highway to demand urgent government intervention following renewed bandit attacks on several communities.

The protest followed reports of fresh attacks that allegedly claimed lives, displaced families and left several residents missing.

Journalist Bakatsine, who reports on conflict and insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West, disclosed in a post on X that the protesters accused authorities of failing to protect communities from the persistent attacks.

According to him, residents said the violence had forced many people to flee their homes, while some families had become separated in the chaos and were still searching for missing relatives.

Bakatsine wrote: “UPDATE: A protest is ongoing in Bodinga, where residents have blocked the major road in the LGA (Bodinga-Sokoto way) to demand urgent government intervention following renewed bandit attacks on villages in the area.

“Residents say the attacks have left people dead, displaced families and separated relatives, with some still searching for missing loved ones.”

Earlier, Bakatsine shared a video showing residents trekking on foot after fleeing their communities following the reported attacks.

He said local sources identified the affected villages as Danchadi, Dabagi, Karaje and Taƙule, where armed bandits reportedly invaded, forcing families to abandon their homes.

According to the reports, a displaced woman alleged that her husband was killed during the attack.

Bakatsine also reported that residents of Zango, Biri, Illela, Taƙule, Horo, Danbaro and other neighbouring communities had deserted their villages over fears of further attacks.

As of the time of filing this report, the Sokoto State Government and security agencies had not officially commented on the reported attacks or the protest.

https://x.com/i/status/2073006862853714063

The Taraba State mobile court on Environmental Protection and Public Safety has impounded a Toyota Yaris allegedly transporting illegally mined solid minerals identified as monoxide.
The minerals were reportedly extracted from the Dakka axis of Bali local government council during an enforcement operation carried out in the early hours of Friday as part of routine patrols to enforce Executive Order No. 5 of 2023 on Environmental Protection and Public Safety.

According to the authorities, the vehicle and the seized minerals have been taken into custody pending further legal proceedings in accordance with the provisions of the executive order.

The mobile court warned motorists, transporters, and individuals involved in the illegal mining and transportation of solid minerals to immediately desist from such activities, stressing that anyone found violating the law would be arrested and prosecuted.

Reaffirming its commitment to environmental protection and public safety, the mobile court said the Taraba State Government remains resolute in safeguarding the state’s natural resources and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.

It added that enforcement operations would continue across the state to curb illegal mining and other activities deemed detrimental to the environment and the public interest.

A Federal High Court in Kano State has ordered the remand of two Katsina State residents, Sani Mamman and Abubakar Umar, over allegations of aiding bandit activities.

The defendants were arraigned on charges bordering on alleged support for bandits in violation of provisions of the Terrorism Prevention Act.

According to the prosecution, Mamman, a resident of Ruwan Godiya in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, was allegedly engaged in March 2025 to transport suspected bandits to a forest in Faskari.

He was accused of committing offences contrary to Section 13(a), (b) and (c) of the Terrorism Prevention Act.

Mamman, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge, telling the court that he was not a driver as alleged but earned a living selling beans with a wheelbarrow.

He also informed the court that although his father was deceased, his mother resides in Funtua.

The prosecution counsel, Hadiza Adamu Yabani, told the court that the defendant had remained in custody since his arrest in March 2025.

The second defendant, Abubakar Umar, a resident of Rimi Local Government Area of Katsina State, was arrested on December 2, 2024, for allegedly attempting to transport arms and ammunition to bandits.

Prosecutors said the offence was also contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism Prevention Act.

Umar denied the allegation, insisting that he was not involved in the offence.

He told the court that farming and the sale of perishable goods were his means of livelihood before his arrest.

Defence counsel, H.A. Kalmaten, informed the court that he had taken over the case from I.I. Umar after consultations with the defendants.

Presiding Judge, Justice S.M. Shuaibu, adjourned the matter to July 7 and 8, 2026, for commencement of trial and ordered that the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility within the court’s jurisdiction pending further proceedings.