Civil and political leaders have urged the federal government to declare a State of Emergency in Zamfara state to salvage what they describe “as a rapidly collapsing state.”
They said the call follows a series of brutal killings and mass abductions across the state, particularly in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, where 38 captives were reportedly executed by armed groups after government efforts to secure their release failed. Over 1,000 others remain in captivity in that area alone.
The chairman of the CSOs, Usman kabiru kaura, in a statement on Friday, said “The security situation has become utterly horrifying.
“The government is doing nothing. People are being slaughtered, abducted and forgotten.”
He noted that the crisis extends far beyond Kaura Namoda.
“Reports from across Zamfara’s 14 local government areas indicate that criminal gangs continue to operate with impunity, targeting villagers, commuters, and entire communities. Victims say they feel abandoned by the very leaders who vowed to protect them.
Speaking on politics, he said Governor Lawal administration’s approach is direct assault on democracy.
“Governor Lawal recently dismissed 10 out of 24 elected members of the State House of Assembly. The move lacks constitutional backing and further erodes public trust in governance.
“Governor Lawal campaigned on a promise to end insecurity in one month. Two years later, the situation is far worse
“He used our pain for political gain. Now that he is in power, there is no action, no empathy, and no leadership.”
Meanwhile, Matawalle, who governed Zamfara between 2019 and 2023, faced similarly dire conditions upon taking office but is credited with restoring peace through negotiations and security collaboration.
“One of his most high-profile actions came during the abduction of more than 100 schoolgirls from Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe.
“Matawalle reportedly led a swift response operation in partnership with federal agencies, securing the safe return of the girls without politicising the tragedy.
“For nearly a year after that incident, Zamfara reportedly experienced a rare period of calm, with no major cases of mass kidnapping or rural attacks.
“This shows what real leadership looks like.It wasn’t perfect, but the people could see and feel the difference.”
“This is not just a security issue. This is a constitutional crisis, a humanitarian disaster, and a political breakdown,” the statement added.
“If the federal government fails to act, the consequences will be catastrophic—not just for Zamfara, but for national stability.”