The Situation Room on Monitoring the War Against Banditry has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately suspend federal allocations to Zamfara State and declare a state of emergency, citing Governor Dauda Lawal’s alleged misuse of security funds and complicity in the state’s escalating banditry crisis.
The group alleges that Governor Lawal receives ₦3 billion monthly as security votes—far exceeding the previously reported ₦600 million—and accuses him of effectively "feeding bandits from the Government House" by failing to act on critical intelligence.
A Viral Confession? The outcry follows a widely circulated video in which Governor Lawal admitted to knowing the exact hideouts of bandit leaders terrorizing Zamfara. Patriot Henry Abba, the group’s convener, condemned the governor’s remarks as a "shocking betrayal of trust" and "a confession of complicity."
"This is not a cry for help," Abba declared at a press conference. "It is an admission that he knows where the killers live, yet chooses to remain passive while his people bleed."
Failed Leadership, Devastated State. Abba painted a grim picture of Zamfara: Communities ravaged by killings, abductions, and mass displacement. Local government funds allegedly siphoned, with chairmen operating from Gusau instead of their constituencies. Security votes failing to translate into actionable intelligence or protection.
Despite receiving billions in security funding, Lawal’s claim of helplessness was labeled "irresponsible" and "a demoralizing blow to soldiers and victims alike."
Demands for Accountability. The Situation Room urged: Immediate suspension of federal allocations to Zamfara pending investigation. A joint probe by the EFCC, DSS, and National Security Adviser into alleged diversion of security funds. National Assembly hearings to hold Lawal accountable. Whistleblower protections for witnesses fearing retaliation. Emergency rule if evidence confirms collusion with bandits.
Political Theater or Criminal Negligence? Some speculate Lawal’s video was a "political stunt" to deflect blame onto the federal government. Abba dismissed such theories, stating: "This is not theatrics—it’s a moral collapse. Zamfara’s leadership has lost its raison d’être."
The group’s demandsunderscore a deepening crisis, with Zamfara’s survival hanging on swift federal intervention.