In a dramatic display of frustration and defiance, angry residents of Maru in Zamfara State set fire to the palace of their traditional ruler, the Emir of Maru, following another deadly terrorist attack and the perceived failure of security agencies to protect them.
The unrest erupted on Thursday after security operatives violently dispersed a peaceful protest organized by the youth against the rising tide of kidnappings and killings by armed terrorists in the region.
According to local sources, the latest attack occurred around 2 a.m. on Wednesday when terrorists stormed the town, firing indiscriminately to instill fear before abducting several residents. Among the kidnapped victims was the Chief Imam of the Maru Central Mosque, Alhaji Salisu Suleman, along with his two wives and seven children.
“The terrorists took away the Imam and nine of his family members during the attack,” a community source confirmed to SaharaReporters.
Enraged by the incessant attacks and the lack of a meaningful government response, residents—mostly youth—mobilized in protest, blocking the ever-busy Sokoto-Gusau highway to demand urgent intervention. However, security operatives moved in swiftly to break up the demonstration, fueling further anger among the protesters.
In a bold act of defiance, the furious crowd redirected their rage towards the Emir’s palace, setting part of the building ablaze as a symbolic protest against what they perceive as the government’s continued failure to protect them from terrorist atrocities.
A viral video obtained by SaharaReporters captured the burning palace, with a voice in the footage stating, “This is a fire outbreak in the Emir’s palace.”
The incident underscores the growing desperation among Zamfara residents, who feel abandoned by both the state and federal governments in the face of relentless terrorist attacks.
The Zamfara State government has faced mounting criticism over its handling of the security crisis, with many accusing it of complacency and ineffectiveness. Calls for decisive military action against terrorists and bandits continue to intensify.
Despite multiple attempts to obtain an official response, the Zamfara Police Command Spokesperson, Yazid Abubakar, declined to answer calls or respond to text messages regarding the incident.
As tensions continue to rise, the burning of the Emir’s palace serves as a stark warning that public patience is wearing thin, and without urgent government intervention, more unrest could follow.
PIONEER NEWS 