As insecurity continues to grip Zamfara State, the Northern Citizens Alliance for Justice (NCAJ) has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state, citing a complete breakdown of governance and alleged involvement of the state government in illegal mining activities.
Speaking in Kaduna on Friday, NCAJ President Mallam Kabiru Sani Bako stated that meaningful intervention in Zamfara is impossible as long as political leaders benefiting from the chaos remain in control.
“What’s happening in Zamfara is not governance, but a systematic abandonment of duty,” Bako said. “There is no functional House of Assembly, no political will to curb the violence, and mounting evidence that links government officials to illegal mining. This is not politics—it’s betrayal.”
According to Bako, residents in areas like Zurmi, Shinkafi, Anka, and Bukkuyum now live under the control of bandits who extort them just to go about daily life. Schools, markets, and even homes are no longer safe, he said.
“Innocent citizens are being taxed by armed groups. Women are abducted, children recruited by these criminals, and yet the government keeps shifting blame,” Bako added.
He further criticized the suspension of ten lawmakers who reportedly spoke out against the worsening security, claiming that Zamfara is currently being run without proper legislative oversight.
“The state has no legally recognized House of Assembly. This lack of accountability is undermining democracy,” Bako said.
The group also alleged that proceeds from illegal mining are being used to finance criminal operations, insisting that some political figures are profiting from the violence rather than seeking solutions.
“The same hands that should be protecting Zamfara are feeding off its destruction,” Bako declared.
NCAJ urged President Tinubu to act immediately by declaring a state of emergency and appointing a neutral administrator to oversee the state’s recovery.
“If the federal government fails to act now, Zamfara could become a stronghold for terror groups. Lives are being lost daily and governance has collapsed,” Bako warned.
The group disclosed plans to submit a comprehensive report to the National Assembly and the National Security Adviser to bolster its demand for decisive action.
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