A protest over worsening banditry attacks in border communities between Kano and Katsina states turned violent, leaving at least one person reportedly dead and paralysing movement along the busy Kano-Katsina highway.
As anger over persistent insecurity erupted in Gwarzo as protesting youths set part of the local government secretariat on fire.
The demonstration, at the Dayi-Gwarzo axis, a strategic interstate corridor linking Gwarzo Local Government Area in Kano State with Malumfashi in Katsina State,began peacefully, was driven by growing frustration over repeated banditry attacks that residents say have left communities living in fear.
Residents blocked the road, burnt tyres and stopped all vehicular movement in protest against repeated attacks and alleged extortion by armed groups.
Eyewitnesses said hundreds of youths marched through the area, chanting and demanding urgent government action to tackle the worsening security situation.
The demonstration erupted where travellers and commercial motorists were stranded for hours as protesters insisted the route would remain shut until authorities addressed rising insecurity in the area.
Tensions escalated when security operatives were deployed to disperse the crowd and reopen the highway.
Locals said tensions had been building for weeks due to the frequency of attacks and what they described as a lack of a strong response from authorities.
“People are exhausted and scared. The attacks keep happening, and nothing seems to change,” one resident said.
Another community member urged restraint, warning that destruction of public property could further complicate efforts to restore order.
“Violence won’t solve the problem. What we need is urgent action and dialogue,” the resident said.
During the operation, a protester was reportedly shot dead under unclear circumstances, with witnesses alleging the victim may have been hit by a stray bullet.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of death or the identity of the deceased.
Spokesperson for the Kano State Police Command, Abdullahi Kiyawa, confirmed that security operatives were engaging community leaders in efforts to restore calm, but did not confirm the fatality or whether normal traffic had resumed.
The protest, which began peacefully, later spread to Gwarzo town, where angry demonstrators marched to the local government headquarters to demand stronger security intervention following a series of deadly raids in surrounding villages.
Residents said the crisis was triggered by repeated attacks in communities such as Lakwoya, where armed bandits were accused of killing residents, destroying property, stealing livestock, and collecting ransom from locals.
Anger peaked when protesters reportedly set fire to the office of the local government chairman after expressing dissatisfaction with the response to their complaints. The incident forced businesses to shut down, with many residents fleeing for safety.
Sabiu Umar described the atmosphere as tense and uncertain, with fears of further escalation if security conditions do not improve.
“We can no longer go to our farms or protect our livestock. The attacks are frequent and response is slow,” one resident said, blaming delayed intervention by security agencies.
Another commuter described widespread fear among non-indigenes and traders, noting that economic activity in the area had been brought to a standstill.
The Dayi-Gwarzo corridor, a key commercial link between Kano, Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto states, remains under heavy tension as community leaders demand permanent security deployment, including military checkpoints, before normal movement can resume.