Nigerian soldiers allegedly shot at two civilians protesting against the withdrawal of military officers in the Lambar-Tureta area of Sokoto state, North West Nigeria. 

The protesters had shut down the federal highway along the Lambar-Tureta junction linking Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi states on Sunday, July 28. The roadblock lasted four hours on Sunday and another two hours the following day.

Unarmed civilians of the community staged the protests after the 8th Division of the Nigerian Army, Sokoto, ordered the withdrawal of officers guarding them. Seemingly enraged about this development, the protesting villagers tried to waylay the army officers leaving the community. To disperse the protesters, the soldiers allegedly fired shots, which unfortunately hit some of the people.

Two villagers hit by the stray bullets are currently receiving treatment at the Tureta General Hospital in the state. Residents told HumAngle that the soldiers were withdrawn from Tureta at a time when terrorists intensified attacks; they are afraid the development would make them significantly more vulnerable.

Tureta has been under targeted attacks by terrorists who invade from bases in neighbouring Zamfara communities. On many occasions, the terrorists had either killed unarmed villagers or abducted them for ransom. They also subjected them to hardship, imposing illegal taxes on farmers and taking over farm fields belonging to civilians in other instances. 

“Our villages would be turned into Gaza-like war zones without protection from soldiers,” said  Nasiru Hassan, 23, a resident of Tureta and one of the protesters. “With the presence of the government security agents here, we can survive some attacks, especially those launched in hard-to-reach communities.”

“But all of a sudden, we hear that the military posted to work here were asked to vacate Tureta and return to the barracks, as directed by the federal government,” he added.

When contacted, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Nigerian Army spokesperson, told HumAngle that he was unaware of the situation and asked for details of the event. He promised to respond once he got more information from the army’s 8th division, Sokoto.

Meanwhile, more than 10 villages in Tureta have now been deserted over the fear of impending terrorist attacks since the army officers’ withdrawal. Some of the deserted villages are Dorawa, Garin Bugaji, Kamfanin Ala, Kamfanin Diya, and Tudun Kusu.

“This protest is just a starter to more protests ahead because since the talks and intentions to withdraw the government forces from Tureta began, I foresee that it will happen again,” said Dahiru Garba, a local social critic from Tureta. “We are keen to know why the federal government is interested in leaving its citizens in the hands of armed criminal forces.”