New Zamfara governor attacked for living in Abuja while armed bandits ravage his state

GOVERNOR Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has come under a fierce attack from local civil society group the Northern Emancipation Network who have pilloried him for living in Abuja at a time when the state is being ravaged by armed bandits.

Since assuming office on May 29, Governor Lawal has by and large remained in Abuja, indicating that he may be one of these chief executives who intends ruining his state from the Federal Capital Territory. Several governors, from a few northern states have done this in the past because of the comforts and modern facilities Abuja offers.

In the case of Zamfara State, however, this kind of arrangement is going to always be unacceptable due to the security challenges the state faces. For years, armed bandits have turned Zamfara into a hell of a place to live, with the former governor trying all sorts of initiatives to resolve the matter but to no avail.

Over the last three weeks since Governor Lawal assumed office, there have been an increase in attacks, leading the Northern Emancipation Network to demand immediate action. Sulaiman Abbah, the group's secretary called on the governor to leave Abuja and return to the state to face governance.

Among other things, the group alleged that the governor does not appear interested in seeking answers to the challenges of security to which the state was exposed, adding that the people continue to live and die due to the activities of killers, kidnappers, rapists and sundry criminals.  It noted that killers and other criminals appear to have sensed a paralysing vacuum at the highest levels of leadership in the state since the inception of the new government, allowing them to grow  in confidence.

According to the group, the state is once again becoming a haven for different terrorist groups, downplaying the description of criminal elements in the region as bandits. It urged the governor to end his stay in Abuja and return to work for the security of the people who elected and entrusted their lives and future to his care.

Mr Abbah said: “The people of Zamfara have shed enough tears and blood in the last three weeks without an appropriate response from those with responsibilities to protect them. Villages are being emptied as hundreds of people, due to constant attacks, are relocating to the already congested urban areas of the state and deepening poverty.

“For the very first time ever, the popular Shinkafi market had been completely overrun by criminal attackers and all activities crippled and deserted.”