In a stern communique issued by the Coalition of Arewa Media Activists, including Nigerian Tracker,signed by Ibrahim Muazzam on Saturday , October 28, 2023, the dire security situation in Zamfara State was brought to the forefront, with the coalition deeming it necessary to address the escalating crisis and propose a solution.
The coalition, comprised of concerned media activists, made a comprehensive assessment of the security challenges in Zamfara State over the last three months, and the consensus was that the situation had worsened considerably, with recurring incidents of kidnapping, mass killings, and banditry. These issues have resulted in the loss of numerous lives, crippled the state’s economy, and obstructed any meaningful development.
The communique read by Ibrahim Muazzam at Kano Press centre said the coalition underscored that the responsibility for the escalating crisis lay primarily with the administration of Governor Dauda Lawan.
They accused the administration of displaying a lack of responsiveness, negligence, and a callous attitude toward addressing the security challenges. Furthermore, the coalition alleged that the governor was engaging in political gamesmanship, unfounded allegations against the federal government, and unnecessary vendettas against his predecessor, all of which diverted attention from the urgent security matters.
Moreover, the coalition pointed out that the federal government had made several efforts through the Ministry of Defense to foster collaboration and enact effective measures to tackle the worsening security situation in Zamfara State. However, they noted that these attempts were often obstructed and undermined by the state government without justifiable reasons.
One particularly distressing incident highlighted by the coalition was Governor Dauda Lawan’s foreign trip when female students of the Federal University Gusau were abducted. While the federal government promptly launched a rescue mission through its security agencies, the state government’s response was notably absent, signifying a lack of responsive leadership and commitment to safeguarding the lives and properties of Zamfara’s residents.
The coalition concluded that Governor Dauda Lawan’s focus appeared to be more on political vendettas and discrediting others than on the welfare and security of the state. They warned that such an approach by the state government would result in devastating consequences and unparalleled distractions within the state.
Consequently, the coalition made a fervent call to the President of the Federal Republic and the federal legislature to consider declaring a state of emergency in Zamfara. They deemed this necessary because, in their view, effective security measures were unattainable without an able and cooperative leadership in the state. Cooperation and synergy with the federal government and other stakeholders were seen as imperative to combat the security challenges effectively. The coalition urged the federal authorities to prioritize the state’s welfare over political considerations and take decisive action to prevent Zamfara from descending into further calamity and unprecedented disaster
