A prominent northern advocacy organisation has launched a strong critique against the Zamfara State government, accusing it of failing to curb a rapidly deteriorating security situation. This condemnation follows a series of renewed attacks on major roads and rural communities within the north-western state.
NFPA Accuses Governor of Leadership Failure
In a strongly-worded statement released from Kaduna on Tuesday, the Northern Front for Peace and Accountability (NFPA) directly blamed Governor Dauda Lawal for what it termed a lack of effective leadership. The group stated that violence perpetrated by armed groups continues to plague various parts of Zamfara without an adequate official response.
The organisation pointed to a specific recent incident as clear evidence of weak security coordination. A suspected bomb explosion targeted travellers along the busy Yar’Tasha–Dansadau road in Maru Local Government Area. This attack, according to the NFPA, has significantly increased fear and anxiety among local residents and daily commuters.
Details of the Attack and Broader Insecurity Pattern
While official casualty figures from the road blast are still pending confirmation, the NFPA reported that several people are feared dead. The group emphasised that this violent event is not isolated but reflects a broader, alarming pattern of insecurity affecting highways and farming communities across Zamfara State.
Speaking for the organisation, its President, Musa Abdullahi Kaura, stated that armed groups are now operating with growing confidence and impunity. He said this has left ordinary citizens exposed to relentless threats including killings, mass abductions, and forced displacement from their homes and farms.
"The people of Zamfara continue to live with fear," Kaura declared. "Communities are attacked, roads are unsafe, and many families have abandoned their farms. At a time like this, citizens expect visible leadership and decisive action from their government."
Calls for Emergency Action and Federal Attention
The Northern Front for Peace and Accountability issued a stark warning that the persistent insecurity could further weaken public trust in state institutions. It also cautioned that the vacuum allows armed groups to establish deeper, long-term bases across the state's rural areas.
To address the crisis, the NFPA proposed an immediate solution: an emergency security summit. This meeting would bring together key stakeholders including:
- Traditional rulers and community leaders
- State and federal security agencies
- Representatives of the federal government
The goal of such a summit would be to develop a cohesive and coordinated response plan. Furthermore, the group urged federal authorities in Abuja to pay closer attention to the deteriorating situation in Zamfara. It warned that without decisive intervention, the state risks becoming a permanent stronghold for various armed factions.
Efforts to get an official reaction from the Zamfara State government were unsuccessful, as no response was received prior to the publication of this report.
