The Situation Room on Monitoring the War Against Banditry has urged President Bola Tinubu to halt federal allocations to Zamfara State and declare a state of emergency. The call follows allegations that Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration has worsened insecurity in the state.
At a press briefing, Patriot Henry Abba, convener of the Situation Room, accused Lawal of mishandling security funds and enabling bandit activities. He described the governor’s approach as a betrayal of trust and a dangerous failure of leadership.
Governor Accused of Shielding Bandits
The group pointed to a viral video in which Lawal admitted knowing the hideouts of notorious bandit leaders but failed to act. Abba said such revelations amounted to a confession rather than a cry for federal support.
“It’s devastating. He knows where these killers are yet chooses silence while citizens perish,” Abba declared. He added that withholding such intelligence from the military and police had allowed Zamfara to become a “graveyard of abductions and massacres.”
Despite the state’s reported N3 billion monthly security budget, the group dismissed Lawal’s claims of helplessness as irresponsible and insulting to troops risking their lives.
Allegations of Corruption and Political Games
Beyond security lapses, the Situation Room accused the governor of mismanaging local government funds. According to Abba, council chairmen remain in Gusau instead of serving their communities, diverting development allocations into private pockets.
The group also alleged that Lawal’s public outbursts were a calculated attempt to shift blame to the Tinubu administration and distract citizens from his failures. “It’s politics taken too far, designed to mask the anarchy in Zamfara,” Abba said.
Call for Federal Action
The Situation Room urged Tinubu to suspend Zamfara’s federal allocations pending an independent audit of security spending. They also demanded a joint investigation by the EFCC, DSS, and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
In addition, the group called on the National Assembly to probe Lawal’s handling of intelligence and ensure accountability. Abba stressed the need for whistleblower protection and support for victims who face threats for speaking out.
