ANA CONVENTION TO PERFORM SHEHU SANI’S ‘THE VILLAGE AND THE VIGILANTE’ TONIGHT_ BY ANA MEDIA TEAM

The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) will perform The Village and the Vigilante, a stage play written by former Nigerian Senator and renowned author, Shehu Sani, as part of the literary and cultural activities of its 45th International Annual Convention.

The stage play will be performed tonight, Friday, October 30, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village, Maitama Extension, Mpape, Abuja.

Directed by Jibril Ahmed and produced by the Orpheus Literary Foundation Playhouse, the production brings to the stage one of the most pressing national concerns confronting Nigeria: insecurity and the urgent need for sustainable solutions to the crisis.

Written by Senator Shehu Sani, The Village and the Vigilante is a powerful theatrical intervention that examines the prolonged crisis of banditry, terrorism, displacement and insecurity, particularly in northern Nigeria. The play explores how communities affected by violent attacks can confront fear, rebuild hope and develop a stronger sense of collective responsibility in protecting their ancestral lands, people and livelihoods.

The playwright has described the work as an intervention aimed particularly at mobilising rural communities in the North-West and North-East to protect their ancestral lands from years of violent attacks. It reflects the painful realities of communities that have experienced killings, kidnappings, extortion, destruction of homes and schools, displacement and the disruption of economic and social activities.

According to Sani, armed groups operating under different names, including ISWAP, Boko Haram, Ansaru and other factions, have subjected innocent citizens to prolonged violence. Farmers, commuters, traditional rulers, students, journalists and other members of society have all been affected by the insecurity that has destabilised communities and undermined livelihoods.

“The idea of this play is to inspire hope and collective responsibility,” Sani said. He further emphasised the importance of community participation in addressing insecurity, noting that citizens must also understand their role in protecting their communities and building resilience, particularly where the state faces challenges in providing adequate security.

Set in the fictional farming town of Ramdagi, The Village and the Vigilante portrays a rural community struggling under the weight of violent attacks by bandits and terrorists. The drama captures the fear, uncertainty and disruption experienced by ordinary residents while exploring the possibilities of collective action in the face of adversity.

Rather than presenting the community as helpless victims, the play follows the efforts of local youths, women and other residents who organise themselves to confront the challenges threatening their homes and livelihoods. Their actions reflect the central message of the production: that unity, courage, community organisation and collective responsibility are essential to overcoming despair and reclaiming security and dignity.

The presentation forms part of the cultural and intellectual activities of ANA’s 45th International Annual Convention, which has brought together writers, poets, dramatists, scholars, publishers and literary enthusiasts from across Nigeria and beyond.

Through this production, ANA underscores the importance of literature and theatre as instruments of social engagement, national consciousness and public enlightenment. The Association believes that drama can provide a meaningful platform for interrogating difficult national questions, amplifying the voices of affected communities and encouraging constructive conversations about possible solutions.

By featuring a play written by Senator Shehu Sani, the Association is drawing attention to the capacity of Nigerian writers to engage contemporary realities through creative expression while challenging audiences to reflect on citizenship, security, community resilience and the protection of vulnerable populations.

The Association of Nigerian Authors invites convention participants, writers, members of the literary community, government representatives, security stakeholders, students, cultural enthusiasts and members of the public to attend the performance tonight.

The Village and the Vigilante promises to be more than a stage performance; it is a call for reflection, unity, courage and collective action in the face of one of Nigeria’s most pressing national challenges.

©ANA MEDIA TEAM