Some civil society groups have
asked the federal government to declare state of emergency in Zamfara state.
In a statement on Monday, the
groups said the “ineptitude” of Abdulaziz Yari, governor of Zamfara, has
worsened the insecurity situation in the state.
Commenting on the recent protest
in the state, they said the destruction of the campaign posters of President
Muhammadu Buhari shows “the extent to which people are aggrieved against the
efforts so far put in place to contain the problem.”
Those who signed the statement
are Jibrin Ibrahim, Centre for Democracy and Development, Abuja; Abubakar
Siddique Mohammed, Centre for Democratic Research and Training, Zaria; Massoud
Omar, Centre for Democratic Research and Training, Zaria; and Saluihu Zubairu
Mustapha and Mohammed Nasiru of the department of history, Ahmadu Bello
University, Zaria.
They said these killings have the
potential of eroding the credibility of Buhari “in one of his strongholds.”
“The reckless pronouncements and
ineptitude of the government of Abdulaziz Yari has further worsened the
security situation in the state,” they said.
“The destruction of the campaign
posters of Mr. President shows the extent to which people are aggrieved against
the efforts so far put in place to contain the problem. This has the potential
of eroding the credibility of Mr. President in one of his strongholds.
“Innocent citizens, made up of
defenceless men, women and children are slaughtered routinely with no help in
sight. Women and young girls are raped in the presence of their parents and
husbands; some are kidnapped, carried into the bush, subjected to incessant
rape, impregnated and sent back to their villages.
“Consequently, many villages in
Zamfara state have been deserted. Economic activities have come to a standstill
as farmers have been ordered by the bandits not to farm. Those who dared them
have been killed. Herders are also not spared. Thousands of cattle have been
rustled and many herders killed.
“Many people have also been
kidnapped for ransom. These developments have had a negative impact on the
Federal Government’s agricultural policy of Anchor Borrower’s Programme (ABP),
and other social intervention programmes.
“So far, the security measures
put in place in Zamfara have failed. The massive demonstration that took place
in Tsafe yesterday against the failure of the security agencies which
degenerated into the riots indicates that people’s patience has run out.
“We recommend the immediate
declaration of a state of emergency in Zamfara state to enable to federal
government initiate a series of actions that would address the crisis.”
They said the the killings in the
state indicate “that there is a leadership vacuum in Zamfara state.”
“This, therefore calls for
drastic measures to arrest the situation and prevent the descent into total
anarchy, with dire consequences to Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna states and the
neighbouring states of Niger Republic.
“The Zamfara crisis should become
a turning point indicating a renewed determination of the Nigerian State and
its security agencies move from condemning such wanton killings to checkmating
the activities of the attackers.”
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