Northern youth pressure groups, under the auspices of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) and Northern Awareness Network (NAN), have expressed grave concern over the deteriorating security situation in Zamfara State.
In light of the renewed and escalating insecurity that has left countless lives at risk, the groups in separate statements issued by their leadership have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene urgently and possibly declare a state of emergency in the state.
A statement issued by the president general of the AYCF, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, and chairman of NAN, Salihu Suleiman, said that despite earlier successes recorded by federal troops in combating banditry, the situation in Zamfara has worsened significantly.
They noted that armed groups have become increasingly emboldened, launching brazen attacks on innocent civilians, displacing families, and creating an atmosphere of fear and hopelessness, adding that the people of Zamfara are in desperate need of immediate intervention to restore peace and security to their communities.
According to Shettima’s statement, “We must also highlight the role of the state government under Governor Dauda Lawal Dare in this escalating crisis. The Governor’s inaction, indifference, and total lack of concern for the plight of the citizens have directly contributed to the worsening security situation.
“Instead of taking decisive action to confront the bandits, the governor has demonstrated a total lack of preparedness and capacity to challenge these criminal elements. Furthermore, allegations of the excessive pillage of public funds have raised serious questions about the governor’s commitment to the welfare of the people”.
The AYCF further said that it firmly believes that a state of emergency is necessary to mobilize federal resources and restore law and order in Zamfara State. Therefore, it urged President Tinubu to take such a critical step to protect the lives and properties of the citizens and hold the state government accountable for its failures.
“We stand with the people of Zamfara in their quest for safety, security, and justice. It is time for decisive action to end the suffering and restore hope to this beleaguered region,” it stated.
NAN, on its part, said Zamfara State stands as a testament to resilience amid adversity. However, the current security situation has spiralled into a crisis that demands immediate federal intervention, adding that over recent months, Zamfara State has experienced a resurgence of violence that has left communities traumatised. It said reports indicate that armed groups have grown increasingly audacious, launching coordinated attacks on villages, displacing families, and instilling a pervasive sense of fear among the populace.
“The initial successes of federal troops in combating banditry now seem like distant memories, overshadowed by the current wave of violence that has spiraled out of control.
“The statistics are sobering: thousands have been displaced, lives have been lost, and the fabric of society has been torn apart. The psychological toll on the people of Zamfara cannot be overstated. Families live in constant fear, children are deprived of education, and economic activities have come to a standstill. The security crisis has morphed into a humanitarian catastrophe, necessitating an urgent and robust response.
“At the core of this escalating crisis lies the apparent inaction of the state government, led by Governor Dauda Lawal and NAN expresses grave concern regarding the governor’s preparedness and capacity to confront the bandits who have wreaked havoc across the state.
“This negligence has not only exacerbated the security challenges but has also eroded public trust in the government’s ability to protect its citizens”, it stressed.
NAN noted that the humanitarian implications of the ongoing crisis are profound because as violence escalates, the basic needs of the populace—food, shelter, and security—are increasingly compromised. Displaced families are often left without adequate support, facing hunger and deprivation.
It further averred that the longer the crisis persists, the more entrenched the challenges become.
It therefore called for a comprehensive approach that includes humanitarian assistance, community rebuilding, and long-term security strategies essential to address the multifaceted challenges faced by Zamfara State.
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