The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a stern demand for Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, to step down from office if he is unable to combat the alarming security crisis troubling the state. This call was made public by Alhaji Kabiru Garba, the ADC Chairman in Zamfara State, during the ADC’s “Handshake Day” event held at Maryam Hall in Gusau, the state’s capital, on Monday. Garba voiced his intense dissatisfaction over the continuous surge in bandit-related violence across various communities within Zamfara. He emphatically declared that Governor Lawal has failed in his constitutional duty to safeguard the lives and property of citizens under his administration. “The Governor must provide a long-term, sustainable solution to the worsening insecurity plaguing the state. If he cannot achieve this, then the honorable thing is for him to resign,” Garba asserted. In addition to criticizing the state leadership, the ADC State Chairman also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rise to the occasion and address the rapidly deteriorating national security challenges not only in Zamfara but also in other parts of Nigeria experiencing similar turmoil. As part of his suggestions, Garba proposed that the Zamfara State Government consider entering into dialogue with the bandits as a potential path to restoring peace and normalcy in the state. “We strongly condemn the ceaseless violence against our people and urge all arms of government to take meaningful and effective action. If engaging the bandits in dialogue is the path to peace, then so be it,” he recommended. The ADC leader went on to say that many residents of Zamfara are beginning to lose faith in the current administration’s capacity to bring peace, and are now viewing the ADC as a beacon of hope for the future. He revealed that the party has successfully registered over 75,000 new members in Zamfara alone and is confident that the number will exceed 100,000 before the 2027 general elections. “We have already registered not less than 75,000 new members, and the people of Zamfara are seeing a better future through the African Democratic Congress. By God’s grace, we are fully prepared to redeem both the state and Nigeria as a whole by the time 2027 comes,” Garba declared confidently.
A new armed group known as Lakurawa has reportedly killed 15 people and stolen over 100 cattle in Mera, located in Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State. Alhaji Bashir Isah Mera (Yariman Mera), a notable figure in the area, confirmed to Daily Trust that the attack occurred as residents were preparing for Jumat prayers. The armed group took away more than 100 cattle during the raid. In response, hundreds of townspeople mobilized and chased the attackers into the bush, attempting to reclaim the stolen livestock. This led to a gunfight in which 15 people from the town were killed, while two of the attackers were also reportedly killed. Mera noted that the Lakurawa group operates from their hideouts in the forests of Sokoto, coordinating such attacks from there. Initially, their activities involved seizing cattle and demanding ‘Zakat’ payments from the owners without causing fatalities. However, this attack marked the first time they had taken lives in the town. Governor Nasir Idris contacted Mera twice, expressing deep concern over the violence and ordering the deployment of military forces to help stabilize the community. Additionally, the commander of Dukku barracks, along with the heads of DSS and the police, have mobilized joint security forces to restore peace in Mera and surrounding areas. The Deputy Governor, Senator Abubakar Umar Tafida, and the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera, visited the town to offer condolences to the families of the victims. They assured residents that the governor is committed to protecting the community from future assaults by the group. Efforts to reach SP Nafiu Abubakar, the Public Relations Officer of the Kebbi State Police Command, for comments were unsuccessful at the time of reporting. READ ALSO:
