Angry youths in Gwashi town, Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State, on Sunday prevented Deputy Governor Mani Mummuni from entering the community during a condolence visit over a deadly bandit attack.
A video circulating on social media showed the youths placing wooden tables across the entrance to the town’s market, chanting “Bamayi,” a Hausa expression meaning “We don’t want you,” as the deputy governor’s convoy approached.
Mummuni had travelled to the community to sympathise with residents following an attack by armed bandits that reportedly claimed at least 20 lives the previous week.
The situation reportedly became tense as the youths confronted the visiting delegation, forcing the deputy governor and his security personnel to seek cover.
The protest came amid mounting public anger over persistent insecurity and what residents perceived as the government’s delayed response to the deadly assault.
Residents reportedly complained that no government representative visited the community immediately after the attack, which claimed the lives of civilians and security personnel.
The October 11 attack occurred when gunmen ambushed a convoy of traders travelling from Gwashi district to Nasarawa Market in Bukkuyum Local Government Area under military escort.
At least 20 people were reportedly killed, including four soldiers, three mobile police officers, an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and more than 12 civilians.
The assault also disrupted weekly market activities in Gurusu and Nasarawa communities. Residents reportedly blamed notorious bandit leader Muhammad Gwaska for the attack.
The incident occurred amid a wave of violence across Zamfara State, including an attack along the Dansadau road in which 12 vehicles were reportedly set ablaze, as well as the killing of vigilantes in Damba.
As of the time of filing this report, the Zamfara State Government had yet to issue an official statement on the confrontation in Gwashi.
Efforts to obtain comments from the state police spokesperson, Yazid Abubakar, were unsuccessful, as calls to his telephone line went unanswered.
Bukkuyum is among the local government areas in Zamfara that have faced repeated attacks by armed bandits, leaving communities grappling with insecurity and disruptions to daily activities.
Reacting to the footage on X, formerly Twitter, a resident argued that voters should express their dissatisfaction through elections rather than blocking roads.
“They have to show BAMAYI (We don’t want you) on the ballot paper, not by blocking roads,” the resident wrote.
The individual also prayed for an end to the violence affecting the state and the country.
“Allah ya dawo mana da zaman lafiya da aminci a jihar mu ta Zamfara da Nigeria,” the resident wrote, meaning, “May Allah restore peace and security to our state of Zamfara and Nigeria.”
