The Human Rights Watchdog in Africa (HRWA) has made an urgent appeal to President Bola Tinubu, demanding the immediate declaration of a state of emergency in Zamfara State. This dramatic call comes amid growing public outrage over the controversial release of more than 500 inmates from the Gusau Correctional Facility.
Controversial Prison Releases Spark Outrage
According to reports confirmed on Friday, November 28, 2025, the mass prisoner release included individuals convicted of serious banditry-related offenses. Insiders revealed that 69 of the freed inmates were hardened bandits who received what appears to be a covert state pardon approved by Governor Dauda Lawal as far back as September 2025.
More alarming details emerged about the release mechanism. The former inmates were reportedly processed through the Zamfara state Zakat and Endowment Board under a scheme officials described as a "religious amnesty" program intended to support their reintegration into society.
Dangerous Criminals Among Released Inmates
The situation becomes even more concerning with revelations that among those released were eight suspects who had been remanded since January 2022 for particularly grave crimes. Their charges included criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, dealing in human parts, and cannibalism - offenses that have sent shockwaves through communities already living in fear.
HRWA Executive Director Samson Adamu didn't mince words in his condemnation of the governor's actions. "This is sacrilegious and totally against humanity. Governor Lawal has never truly taken the insecurity plaguing Zamfara seriously, always playing politics while our people bleed," Adamu stated during the organization's press briefing.
Growing Security Crisis in Northern State
The human rights organization warned that these releases have "plunged thousands of Zamfara residents into a serious circle of confusion and fear" with many communities now bracing for a potential resurgence of violence. Adamu emphasized that the security situation in Zamfara has deteriorated catastrophically since Governor Lawal assumed office.
"Villages have been razed, families torn apart, and now this betrayal of unleashing convicted killers back onto our streets under the guise of amnesty," he added, capturing the depth of public anger.
The HRWA director also criticized Governor Lawal's previous claims that he could end banditry within two months, calling such statements a "mockery of justice and a death sentence for innocent civilians."
Call for Presidential Intervention
In their formal demand, HRWA called on President Tinubu to invoke constitutional emergency powers that would enable him to suspend the governor, overhaul the state's security architecture, and launch a comprehensive federal investigation into the controversial pardons.
"Sanction him hard. Strip away his authority before more blood is spilled," Adamu urged, emphasizing that HRWA stands with the voiceless victims of Zamfara and will continue advocating for accountability.
The organization's strong stance reflects the growing concern among security experts and residents about the potential consequences of releasing hundreds of convicted criminals back into communities already struggling with banditry and violence.
