Declare State of Emergency in Zamfara Now – Group Urges Tinubu
The Northern Citizens Alliance for Justice has urged President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara State, citing worsening insecurity and alleged complicity of the state government in illegal mining activities.
In a statement issued in Kaduna on Friday, the group’s president, Kabiru Bako, said governance has collapsed in the state, with no functional House of Assembly and rising lawlessness. He accused political actors of benefiting from the chaos and preventing genuine intervention.
Bako described the situation as “a slow-burning war,” adding that many communities are under the control of bandits who extort money from residents, recruit children, and abduct women. He noted that in towns like Zurmi, Shinkafi, Anka, and Bukkuyum, people live in fear and basic rights like education and access to markets have been severely disrupted.
The group also claimed that the state government shields illegal miners whose activities are allegedly funding criminal groups. They argued that only a non-partisan administrator, appointed under emergency rule, can restore order and rebuild governance structures.
They plan to submit a dossier to the National Assembly and the National Security Adviser to support their call for federal intervention.
