A civil society organization, Situation Room on Monitoring the War Against Banditry, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately freeze federal allocations to Zamfara State over what it described as Governor Dauda Lawal’s alleged ties to armed bandit groups wreaking havoc across the state.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Sunday, the group’s convener, Patriot Henry Abba, said the governor’s recent public comments show clear signs of negligence and possible complicity in the ongoing security crisis in Zamfara. He further urged the Federal Government to consider imposing emergency rule in the state if evidence of complicity is confirmed.
According to the group, the current administration in Zamfara has failed woefully in securing lives and property. It alleged that the governor’s management of security votes and his statements on bandit hideouts amount to “feeding bandits right from Government House.”
The strong accusation follows a viral video in which Governor Lawal claimed he knew the locations of top bandit leaders in the state but appeared unwilling or unable to take decisive action.
Abba described the governor’s remarks as a “damning admission of guilt,” saying it raises serious questions about his commitment to fighting banditry.
“It’s shocking and heartbreaking – a blatant betrayal of public trust and a catastrophic failure in leadership,” Abba said.
He noted that despite Zamfara receiving an estimated N600 million monthly for security-related spending, the state remains one of the worst-hit by bandit attacks. Villages continue to be razed, lives lost, and farmlands deserted as residents flee for safety.
Abba argued that the governor’s inaction in the face of clear intelligence on bandit operations is not only irresponsible but also undermines the efforts and sacrifices of security forces on the frontlines.
“How can a sitting governor claim to know the exact location of criminal leaders terrorizing his people and still fail to act? This is not a plea for help, it’s a confession,” Abba added.
The group said the situation has turned Zamfara into a “notorious graveyard” where kidnappings, killings, and displacement have become the new normal.
The CSO also accused the governor of enabling corruption by allowing local government chairmen to remain in Gusau, far from their constituencies, while diverting rural development funds meant for grassroots communities.
“These funds are being used for personal gains while rural areas continue to suffer under bandit occupation,” Abba said.
The group dismissed attempts by the governor’s allies to portray the viral video as a call for federal intervention, arguing that such an excuse does not explain the governor’s apparent unwillingness to share critical intelligence with national security agencies.
“If he had passed that intelligence to the military, the DSS, or the police, where is the record? Where is the result? Nigerians are tired of excuses,” Abba queried.
To address the crisis, the Situation Room issued a list of demands. First, it called on President Tinubu to suspend federal allocations to Zamfara State until an independent audit is carried out on the use of security votes.
It also urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to launch a full-scale investigation into the governor’s conduct and alleged diversion of funds.
Additionally, the CSO requested the National Assembly to open a formal inquiry into the management of security intelligence and resources in Zamfara, insisting that Governor Lawal must be held accountable.
“We need protection for whistleblowers and those who have the courage to speak up. Too many people have suffered in silence,” Abba said.
Finally, the group warned that if investigations reveal that Governor Lawal has knowingly allowed bandit networks to thrive under his watch, the Federal Government should consider declaring a state of emergency in Zamfara to restore law and order.
Zamfara State, located in Nigeria’s troubled northwest region, has for years been plagued by armed banditry. Criminal gangs have terrorized rural communities through kidnappings, cattle rustling, and mass killings, forcing thousands to flee their homes.
Despite several military operations and security interventions, the violence has persisted, leading to growing concerns about alleged political protection and funding of these criminal groups.
As of press time, neither the Zamfara State Government nor Governor Lawal has officially responded to the latest allegations from the Situation Room group.
