Nigerians are voicing their concerns over recent protests led by children in Katsina, seeing them as a glaring indication of the nation’s security vulnerabilities and accusing the government of neglect, which has pushed young citizens to stage such demonstrations.
Last week, bandits launched a series of attacks across various villages in Katsina, notably targeting the Wurma community for three consecutive days, without any intervention from security forces.
In response to the brutal killing of their parents, children took to the streets in anger, wielding sticks and chanting slogans to express their frustration with what they perceive as the government and security agencies’ indifference towards their safety and well-being.
Reports indicate that children between the ages of 10 and 15 were the primary participants in the protests in Wurma.
The once bustling farming community of Wurma now stands deserted after enduring three days of relentless attacks, with no sign of security presence.
A video capturing the protest shows children articulating their grievances over the loss of their parents to bandit attacks, lamenting the abandonment of Wurma by its residents who have fled to neighboring towns.
One protester, Jamil Mabai, expressed the dire situation, stating, “Wurma village, a significant farming community, is completely deserted, with no security presence. Our parents are being mercilessly slaughtered, and we feel helpless, hence our cry for help to the world. The government has left us to fend for ourselves.”
The protests have elicited mixed reactions from Nigerians, with some interpreting the children’s actions as a desperate plea to shed light on their community’s plight due to governmental neglect.
However, concerns are mounting over the potential psychological impact on the children involved as they navigate into adulthood.
While Vice President Kashim Shettima has pledged to bolster security measures, many Nigerians view such assurances as mere political rhetoric, echoing a familiar narrative.
Shettima reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and properties of citizens, extending this pledge beyond Katsina to the entire nation of Nigeria.
Federal lawmaker Shehu Dalhatu Tafoki, representing the Faskari/Kankara/Sabuwa constituency, has expressed deep concern over the persistent banditry attacks on his constituents, describing the situation as intolerable. He noted that residents have been forced out of their homes due to the relentless assaults by criminal groups.