Insecurity: APC Demands For State of Emergency in Zamfara
The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called for immediate declaration of State of Emergency in Zamfara state due to the “escalation of banditry and overwhelming kidnappings”.
The state chapter of APC made the call in a statement issued on Wednesday by party’s Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Yusuf Idris
It said that the security situation has gone ‘beyond human understanding with a complete corresponding nonchalance from the chief security officer of the state, governor Dauda Lawal Dare and his government”.
“The carefree attitude of the governor and the painless defence put forward by his aides as if nothing is happening in the state invoke many unanswered questions in the minds of citizens of the state and the nation in general.”
The party said one of the disturbing situation is a video in circulation where over 200 people of Kaura Namoda were abducted and appealing to governor Dauda Lawal and his government to come to their aid..
It recalled that governor Dauda Lawal campaign for governorship mainly centered on accusing previous administrations in the state of negligence, and promised to end banditry in two months.
The Zamfara APC said instead of facing his responsibility squarely, the governor has rather “engaged in blames after blames through fabricated lies” while “the security of the state has already collapsed under his watch.”
“When he took over the state from his predecessor, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, all roads in the state were motorable but now all major roads like Gusau- Talata-Mafara-Tureta have turned suicidal to ply, likewisewise, from Mayanchi- Anka- Gummi is now deadly which force people of the three Local governments to change their route to state capital to go through Sokoto because of the daily bandits attacks. While those following the road must have escorts by well armed military before passing through the road.
“The Gusau- Kaura Namoda road is more deadly because people in hundreds are being abducted on daily basis. Even on Sunday, 38 people kidnapped from Banga were slaughtered like rams and the government of Zamfara State is doing nothing.”
It accused the governor of continuing to sabotage the efforts of the federal government by refusing to cooperate with the security agencies and resorting to media campaign that federal government is operating in his state without his knowledge.
“Now the governor is saying he has recorded 75 percent success in the fight which is a lie. The only thing done, is the closure of over 90 percent of the state markets and restrictions of vehiclar movements from 6 pm to 6 am which is a clear failure because before he took over the leadership of the state, all markets were accessible at all times,” the APC added.
“As a party in the opposition in the state, the APC has made several calls on the governor so that he would, even out of anger, take proactive measures against the criminal elements terrorising the state but to no avail.
“Only about four months ago, a total of 56 persons were kidnapped from Banga ward of Kaura Namoda local government and though the affected community raised millions of naira and gave the bandits to secure the release of their loved ones, they went further to appeal to the governor and his government to assist in saving the victims but the government did not bulge until 38 of them were slaughtered like rams recently with the government still yet to say anything.
‘While the government is continuing its silence over these gruesome murders, the bandits who feel they are now in full control of the state, went back and abducted over 200 others just this Monday with the state government, as usual, still keeping mum.”
In view of these, “APC in Zamfara is compelled to join the call on the federal government to intervene by declaring a state of emergency in the state as the only way out left, so that with the deployment of soldiers, more proactive measures and fire power will be meted against the criminals.
“As it is now, the governor is overseas as usual celebrating with his family on birthdays and school graduations without releasing even a press statement in sympathy to victims of the unending bloodbath in his state.
“The party wishes to strongly commend the Zamfara State factional House of Assembly under the leadership of Hon Bashar Aliyu Gummi for its uprightness in calling the executive arm to order especially over the escalating insecurity, corruption and its refusal to serve as rubber stamp legislature to the governor and his administration.
‘”We equally wish to extend our sympathy and condolences to the victims of all the violence caused by the marauding bandits and pray God to bring lasting peace and progress to the state and the nation in general.”
