A recent statement by the Situation Room on Monitoring the War Against Banditry, a prominent Nigerian civil society organization, has intensified national attention on Zamfara State’s mounting security woes. The group, addressing President Bola Tinubu, called for the suspension of all federal allocations to Zamfara and even the imposition of emergency rule amid allegations implicating Governor Dauda Lawal in the persistent banditry crisis.
The Situation Room’s concerns centre on allegations that the current administration’s use of security votes has inadvertently aided armed groups, rather than combating them. “What we see is a system that appears to facilitate, rather than dismantle, the networks of criminality in Zamfara,” said Patriot Henry Abba, the convener of the organization, during a Sunday press briefing in Abuja. According to Abba, the management of security funds has created conditions that allow criminal syndicates to thrive in the state.
At the heart of the controversy is a recently circulated video in which Governor Lawal reportedly revealed knowledge of the location of notorious bandit leaders but failed to take substantive action to dismantle their operations. According to Abba, “This situation amounts to feeding criminal networks from the seat of government itself.” He also described the governor’s public admission as an “astonishing confession” that has left many questioning the true commitment of local leaders to restoring peace in Zamfara.
Local and national security experts have echoed some of these concerns. “It is imperative for any state leader to work proactively with federal authorities—especially in matters as grave as insurgency,” stated Dr. Farida Musa, a security policy analyst based in Lagos. “Delaying action or withholding intelligence undermines the fight against insecurity and endangers civilians.”
The dire situation in Zamfara is reflected in ongoing reports from villagers and residents. Over recent months, communities across the state have experienced frequent attacks, property destruction, and displacement. Eyewitnesses have described homes being razed, agricultural livelihoods decimated, and families forced to flee with little or no warning. Local activists, such as Ahmed Sani from Gusau, shared, “Many farmers are now too afraid to go to their fields. Markets are half empty, and our children are not safe to walk to school.”
For residents, the devastating toll on daily life goes beyond physical losses. “The psychological impact of living in constant fear cannot be underestimated,” explained Dr. Cynthia Ejiofor, a trauma specialist in Kaduna. She noted that recurring abductions, mass displacements, and indiscriminate violence—now almost routine in Zamfara—take a profound toll on community resilience and mental health.
The Situation Room highlighted Zamfara’s monthly security vote, reportedly in the range of N600 million, questioning the visible impact of this allocation on security improvements. According to Patriot Abba, “Given such significant resources, declarations of helplessness by leadership are unacceptable.” Frontline security personnel and families of those killed while combating banditry reportedly view the current situation as a breach of trust and a disregard for their sacrifices.
Some local leaders defend Governor Lawal, interpreting his comments as a plea for increased federal government involvement in tackling deeply entrenched security threats. However, Situation Room and its supporters argue that the video is tantamount to an admission of governance failure rather than a call for help. “Knowing where criminal leaders operate but refusing to share this intelligence with federal security agencies is an abdication of responsibility,” Abba asserted. He further challenged the governor to provide evidence of sharing actionable intelligence with key agencies such as the military and police, noting that claims of inter-agency collaboration remain unverified in the public domain.
Beyond security failures, the Situation Room alleges that public funds allocated to local government units—earmarked for development and grassroots empowerment—are frequently diverted or misappropriated. This, according to the organization, exacerbates poverty and creates the sort of vulnerability that criminal networks often exploit.
Other observers, including independent political commentators, caution that attributing blame solely to one level of government risks obscuring a more complex picture. “The roots of Zamfara’s crisis run deep, involving years of underdevelopment, insufficient federal attention, and the proliferation of arms across West Africa,” said Sulaiman Lawal, a policy researcher in Abuja. Nonetheless, the Situation Room argues that Governor Lawal’s recent statements seek to “vilify” the Tinubu administration and divert attention from local failures of governance, characterizing his approach as a diversion from urgently needed solutions.
In its recommendations, the Situation Room urged President Tinubu and relevant federal agencies to immediately suspend federal payments to Zamfara until a thorough audit of security spending is completed. The group called for a coordinated investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Department of State Services (DSS), and the Office of the National Security Adviser, with a view to uncovering possible misappropriation or misdirection of funds.
The Situation Room also pushed for an inquiry led by the National Assembly, proposing that Governor Lawal be compelled to give a public account of how intelligence and security resources are managed in the state. Transparency, the organization contends, is essential for rebuilding public trust and guaranteeing justice for both victims of violence and whistleblowers who risk retribution for exposing wrongdoing. “Whistleblowers and victims must be protected from retaliation,” Abba emphasized, spotlighting the dangers faced by those who speak out.
Should investigations validate the allegations of official complicity in sustaining banditry, the group recommended emergency federal measures—including the possibility of emergency rule—to restore law and reclaim Zamfara from the grip of impunity and criminality.
The crisis in Zamfara stands as a stark reminder of broader security challenges facing northern Nigeria and the wider Sahel, where regional instability, poverty, and porous borders have created fertile ground for criminal enterprises. Nigeria’s experience is mirrored by similar banditry-related challenges in parts of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali—highlighting the transnational dynamics at play.
As this debate unfolds, the call for transparency, cooperation, and urgent reform will likely echo far beyond Zamfara’s borders—inviting comparisons with anti-corruption and security reform initiatives in neighbouring Ghana and across West Africa.
To date, Governor Lawal’s administration has not issued an official response to these specific new allegations. Federal authorities have urged Nigerians to remain patient as security inquiries continue and have reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the rule of law and advancing peace in Zamfara and beyond.
What do you think is the best way forward for restoring lasting security and accountability in Zamfara and similar regions? Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments below and join the conversation about building safer communities.
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