Over 50,000 residents of 17 communities in Sabon Birni Local Government Area have relocated to the Niger Republic over incessant bandits’ attacks.
This was disclosed by the member representing Sabon Birni North constituency at the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Aminu Almustapha Boza.
Boza said the villagers are currently taking refuge at Tudun Sunnah village, Gidan Runji Local Government in Maradi State of Niger Republic.
The lawmaker, however, alleged that he made several attempts to see Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal over their plight but to no avail.
“I have been trying to see the governor but he refused to grant me audience because he knows my reason of seeing him.
“Our people are being killed every day. So far, we have counted over 50,000 of them taking refuge in the Niger Republic. It took us two days to count them in the presence of the Governor of Maradi and the chairman of Gidan Runji.
“I am regretting joining politics. I know the kind of support we gave the governor during his re-election because he promised us security, development, and others but look at it, my people are suffering and he cannot come or send a delegate or even relief materials to them.
“The last time he (Tambuwal) came to our area was after bandits massacred several people in Tarah area last year where he advised my constituents against taking arms to defend themselves,” he alleged.
However, Governor Tambuwal denied shunning the lawmaker, saying he has been contacting him over the security situation in his constituency.
Speaking through his media aide, Tambuwal recalled that he had facilitated a meeting between the Commissioner of Police, the Director DSS in the state, and the lawmaker during which he was directed to contact any one of them in any distressing situation.
He added that the member was one of the two members invited for the last security meeting but only that of the Isa Constituency attended.
