Coalition Calls for International Action Amid Escalating Zamfara Violence
A prominent coalition known as Concerned Nigerians for Human Security has acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's intensified federal measures to combat the worsening terror attacks and banditry in Zamfara State. The group, led by Mr. Adolphus Ewuga, expressed appreciation for the heightened security deployments but emphasized that the situation has reached critical humanitarian levels requiring global attention.
The coalition stated that despite substantial annual security budgets, violent attacks continue unabated across Zamfara, indicating what they described as a complete breakdown of accountability in managing public safety resources. They specifically highlighted the persistent nature of assaults by armed gangs that have resulted in thousands of casualties and mass displacement.
Open Letter to Former US President
In a direct appeal to former United States President Donald Trump, the coalition requested international intervention to break what they termed "a cycle of mass murder and displacement" in the northwestern state. Their open letter detailed how numerous men, women, and children have been killed, abducted, or forcibly removed from their ancestral homes by criminal elements.
Mr. Ewuga characterized the devastation as "a humanitarian catastrophe that deserves the attention of global moral leadership" and urged targeted measures including visa restrictions against political figures allegedly complicit through inaction. The letter specifically mentioned Governor Dauda Lawal as among those who should face accountability measures.
The coalition stressed that the violence transcends religious divisions, noting that both Muslim and Christian communities have suffered significant losses. They attributed the crisis primarily to leadership failures, negligence, and misappropriation of security funds rather than religious motivations.
Federal Response and Emergency Measures
While recognizing ongoing military operations and recent strategic reinforcements authorized by President Tinubu, the coalition maintained that federal efforts will remain insufficient without proper accountability at the state level. They consequently urged the Federal Government to consider declaring a full state of emergency in Zamfara to address the security collapse.
The petition concluded with a powerful statement: "Nigeria must not normalize the level of carnage in Zamfara" and called for international solidarity to end the atrocities and restore dignity to affected communities. They emphasized that "leadership is a moral burden, not an entitlement to luxury" in their appeal for greater responsibility.
Trump's Previous Comments on Nigeria
The appeal to the former US president comes after Trump recently threatened military intervention in Nigeria, accusing the government of failing to protect Christian communities from violent attacks. In posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump warned that Washington could "immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria" and take military action if killings continued.
These remarks followed weeks of lobbying by US lawmakers and conservative Christian groups urging Trump to designate Nigeria as a "country of particular concern" for alleged religious persecution—a classification that would place Nigeria alongside nations like Russia, Iran, and China.
Analysts suggest Trump's comments reflect pressure from his evangelical base, which has consistently demanded stronger positions on the treatment of Christians internationally. The former president's statements have generated significant discussion about foreign interference in Nigeria's domestic affairs.
In response to Trump's threats, President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria's constitutional guarantees of religious freedom, stating that portraying the nation as intolerant "does not reflect our national reality." Presidential spokesperson Daniel Bwala characterized Trump's comments as "a miscommunication" and expressed confidence that both leaders could resolve differences through dialogue.
Bwala further clarified that any potential military action "would only happen if it is a joint action with the Nigerian government," firmly upholding the nation's sovereignty while acknowledging the need for data-driven assessments rather than conclusions based on isolated reports and social media content.
