Northern Group Begs Tinubu to Declare State Of Emergency in Zamfara
Olufemi Orunsola
Amid open condemnation of President Tinubu's declaration of state of emergency in Revers state from some quarters in Nigeria, an advocacy group, Northern Citizens Alliance for Justice (NCAJ) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately declare a state of emergency in Zamfara State, citing what it described as a complete collapse of governance and deepening insecurity.
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered via a statement released in Kaduna on Friday, that the group’s president, Mallam Kabiru Sani Bako, accused the state government of abandoning its responsibilities while allegedly shielding criminal elements involved in illegal mining operations.
“What we are witnessing in Zamfara is not governance. It’s a deliberate dereliction of duty by those elected to serve,” Bako said.
“The House of Assembly is dysfunctional, there’s no political will to end the violence, and the people are suffering under the weight of fear and neglect.”
The group described the ongoing crisis as “a slow-burning war” that threatens national stability if left unaddressed.
Bako said residents in areas like Zurmi, Shinkafi, Anka, and Bukkuyum live in fear, with many forced to pay levies to bandits to farm, travel, or even survive.
“Schools are empty, markets deserted, and entire communities are being taxed by armed groups. Meanwhile, state officials trade blame while doing little to stop the bloodshed,” he added.
NCAJ further warned that the absence of a legally functional House of Assembly, following the suspension of 10 lawmakers for speaking out, has left the state without democratic checks and balances.
“Zamfara is being ruled by silence. This is not democracy—it is a descent into anarchy, and the victims are the innocent poor,” Bako stressed.
The group further accused unnamed state officials of colluding with illegal miners, claiming that proceeds from illicit mining are being used to fund the purchase of weapons for criminal gangs.
“The very people who should protect Zamfara are profiting from its collapse,” Bako said.
Calling for decisive federal intervention, the group urged President Tinubu to invoke constitutional powers and appoint a non-partisan administrator to restore order and rebuild institutions.
“We need action, not rhetoric. The time to declare a state of emergency is now,” Bako declared. “If we fail to act, Zamfara could become a permanent haven for terror networks.”
NCAJ said it would submit a detailed report to the National Assembly and the National Security Adviser to support its demand for emergency rule.
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