Abo Musawa
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The Zamfara Conscience Movement (ZCM) has issued a stark warning regarding a troubling and increasingly apparent close relationship between the Zamfara State government, led by Dauda Lawal Dare, and notorious bandits and criminal gangs that have devastated the state and neighboring areas in the North-West region.
The ZCM’s concerns escalated following the emergence of a video clip featuring Bello Turji, a prominent bandit leader. In the clip, Turji is seen openly criticizing eminent political leaders such as the Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle.
The ZCM finds it highly improbable that such bold statements could have been made without governmental support, pointing to a potentially deeper and more sinister collaboration with these criminal elements.
In a statement signed by ZCM Chairman Sahabi Lawali, the movement highlighted a prior video showing hooded armed bandits confessing to having ties with the government. These disturbing revelations, coupled with Turji’s audacious declarations, suggest a worrying trend of collusion between the current administration and criminal groups.
The bandits in the videos not only express their loyalty to Dauda Lawal but also vow to execute any orders he may give, raising significant questions about the present-administration nexus and Lawal’s motives.
“There appears to be a deliberate strategy employed by Dauda Lawal to use these bandits as instruments to discredit his predecessor,” stated Sahabi Lawali. “This tactic undermines the rule of law, erodes the ethical foundations of our political process, and jeopardizes the safety and well-being of our citizens.”
Lawali said it is no wonder that the security situation in Zamfara State has significantly deteriorated under the current administration compared to the previous leadership of Bello Matawalle.
The group said the fact that none of the local government headquarters were ever infiltrated by bandits during Matawalle’s tenure, whereas now, under the current administration, these areas are constantly under attack, is a cause for concern.
“The lack of action from Governor Lawal in addressing these frequent invasions is disappointing. Instead of consoling with the victims or condemning the attacks, Governor Lawal seems more focused on criticizing his predecessor, Bello Matawalle. This misplaced focus has resulted in wasted resources and energy that could have been better utilized in providing relief for the people who are suffering from these attacks.
“It is time for Governor Lawal to shift his attention from political squabbles to the pressing issue of security in the state. Cooperating with the federal government’s effort in addressing the root causes of these attacks and implementing effective measures to prevent future invasions should be the main focus of the government,” Lawali said.
ZMC noted that the stark difference in the security situation in Zamfara State under the two administrations of Matawalle and Lawal is undeniable and warned Governor Lawal to concentrate more on taking action to address the escalating violence in the state and prioritizing the well-being of the people over personal vendettas.
The group pointed out that Governor Matawalle’s decision to engage in dialogue with bandits has been vindicated by the presence of former IGP MD Abubakar in Governor Lawal’s administration as chairman of the state Security Trust Fund after leading his transition team in 2023.
“We recall that MD Abubakar led the reconciliation committee under the previous administration of Bello Matawalle by engaging with various stakeholders, including leaders of the bandits, religious and traditional leaders, and community representatives.
“Despite Governor Lawal’s firm stance against negotiating with bandits, the fact that Bello Turji claims that bandits still exist in the government house suggests that MD Abubakar may still be continuing negotiations behind the scenes,” they said.
The ZCM urges a comprehensive and transparent investigation into these alarming developments to ensure that justice prevails and the integrity of Zamfara’s political system remains intact. Inaction, the ZCM warns, would only embolden criminal elements, further tarnish governmental credibility, and compromise public safety.
“The administration must address these allegations head-on. It is imperative that swift, decisive action is taken to dismantle any existing alliances between the government and the bandits,” added Lawali. “Public trust in our leadership and the rule of law must be restored.
“This call to action is both justified and essential.
The video evidence depicting bandits pledging allegiance to Dauda Lawal is a clear indicator of the alarming collusion that threatens the state’s peace, security, and democratic ethos. Immediate and thorough measures are critical to safeguard the interests of the citizens and uphold the sanctity of the political process in Zamfara State” Lawali concluded.
Dan Zaki Media 