Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has come under intense fire following the brutal killing of 35 abducted residents in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, despite the payment of a N50 million ransom.
The Zamfara Good Governance Forum (ZGGF), a civic advocacy group, has demanded Governor Lawal’s immediate resignation, accusing him of gross incompetence and leadership failure amid escalating insecurity across the state.
According to reports, the victims—all from Banga village—were among 53 persons abducted months ago by armed bandits who demanded N1 million per person as ransom. Despite managing to raise N50 million, only 18 captives were released, while 35 others were gruesomely executed in captivity.
In a statement released Monday in Gusau, ZGGF President Alhaji Sani Mohammed described the incident as a national tragedy and evidence of a total collapse of governance under Lawal’s administration.
“What happened in Banga village is a national tragedy. Thirty-five innocent citizens were slaughtered like animals—even after a ransom of N50 million was paid. Yet, the governor, who swore to protect lives and property, is busy playing hide and seek with terrorists,” the statement read.
The group accused Governor Lawal of inconsistency and political double-speak, claiming that while he publicly rejects amnesty for bandits, he has been secretly engaging with their leaders in both official and undisclosed locations.
“One day, he says amnesty is wrong. The next day, he’s hosting bandit commanders like honoured guests. Who is he really working for—the people or the terrorists?” Mohammed asked.
The Forum further condemned Lawal for failing to match or improve on the security efforts of his predecessor, Bello Matawalle, whom he previously criticized.
“Before his election, Lawal presented himself as the messiah Zamfara needed. But today, it’s clear he had no plan—only ambition. Rural communities are now under the control of terrorists who kidnap, extort, rape, and kill without consequence.”
Calling for President Bola Tinubu to intervene, the ZGGF urged the Federal Government to declare a special security operation in Zamfara, deploy additional troops, and treat the crisis as a national emergency.
“Zamfara is bleeding. The President must act. But before that, the governor must go. His continued stay in office is a mockery of the pain and bloodshed Zamfara people have endured. If he has any respect left for the people, he should resign with what’s left of his dignity,” the group concluded.