The move, according to residents, has left the area vulnerable to renewed bandit attacks and triggered a mass displacement to safer locations.
Panic has gripped parts of Zamfara State after the sudden withdrawal of security operatives from Lilo village in Mada District, Gusau Local Government Area, forcing residents of more than 30 surrounding communities to flee their homes.
The move, according to residents, has left the area vulnerable to renewed bandit attacks and triggered a mass displacement to safer locations.
As reported by Daily Trust, the troops had been stationed in Lilo for over seven years before they were withdrawn late at night, a development that sparked fear among villagers who had depended on them for protection.
A resident of Lilo, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the situation as alarming, saying the withdrawal immediately caused panic.
“We fled because we are afraid of imminent attacks by bandits. The troops have been our only protection,” he said.
He explained that the soldiers were first deployed to the community in June 2019 and had maintained a strong presence since then.
“The troops stayed here for over seven years. There were more than 60 personnel from different security agencies.
Their presence kept us safe,” he added.
The source further revealed that the troops were evacuated around 10 p.m. using two Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and a Toyota Hilux vehicle.
“One of the security officers told me they were pulled out due to fears of ambush, especially as the rainy season begins. The river around the village makes access difficult, and reinforcement is nearly impossible,” he said.
He also recalled that past rainy seasons had seen troops suffer casualties in the area due to delays in reinforcement.
Reacting to the development, Police Public Relations Officer DSP Yazid Abubakar said the Commissioner of Police, A. M. Bello, had responded promptly by deploying reinforcements.
“We immediately deployed a police tactical team with support from two Armoured Personnel Carriers to the area,” he said.
He added that the situation had since been brought under control.
“With the presence of our personnel, calm has returned to the area,” Abubakar stated.
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