Iconic Global Magazine Iconic Global Magazine is a global media company, focusing on business, investing, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, and lifestyle.
Related Articles
- A civil society coalition has asked President Tinubu to suspend federal allocations to Zamfara state and consider emergency rule, making key allegations against Governor Dauda Lawal
- The group’s convener, Patriot Henry Abba, accused Lawal of mismanaging monthly security votes and enabling bandit networks despite saying he knows their hideouts
- Abba urged the federal government, EFCC, DSS, and the National Assembly to investigate the governor’s handling of funds and security intelligence
Abuja, FCT – A civil society coalition, the Situation Room on Monitoring the War Against Banditry, has called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend federal allocations to Zamfara state and impose emergency rule, alleging Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration is complicit in worsening insecurity.
At a press briefing in Abuja, the group’s convener, Patriot Henry Abba, accused Governor Lawal of mismanaging billions in monthly security votes and enabling bandit networks in the northwestern state.
Photo credit: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Source: Facebook
He pointed to a recent viral video in which the governor said he knew the whereabouts of bandit leaders, but his lack of authority over security operatives prevents him from acting decisively.
“This is nothing short of feeding bandits right from Government House,” Abba said.
He described the governor’s disclosure as an admission of guilt that has left villages destroyed, families displaced, and farmlands abandoned.
LGA allocations being diverted, Abba alleges
Despite “an estimated N3 billion allocated monthly for security”, Abba said residents continue to face abductions, killings and mass displacement. He dismissed Lawal’s explanation as “utterly irresponsible” and a betrayal of frontline troops fighting insurgency.
The group alleged that local government allocations meant for rural development are being diverted, with council chairmen allegedly based in the capital, Gusau, instead of their communities.
The Situation Room also claimed that Governor Lawal’s comments were politically motivated.
“It’s politics pushed to extremes, a theatrical bid to obscure the anarchy in Zamfara’s lawless frontiers,” Abba said.
Zamfara insecurity: Tinubu, NASS asked to intervene
The group urged Tinubu to halt federal allocations to Zamfara until an audit clarifies how security funds are used. It called for an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Department of State Services (DSS), and the National Security Adviser (NSA)’s office.
The coalition also called for a National Assembly inquiry and safeguards for whistleblowers. According to Abba, if probes confirm Governor Lawal’s complicity, the federal government should consider declaring emergency rule in Zamfara state.
“President Tinubu cannot afford complacency; this is a clarion call to safeguard Nigeria’s unity,” he said.
Photo credit: Dauda Lawal
Source: Facebook
Bandits re-abduct trader in Zamfara
Previously, Legit.ng reported that the wave of banditry in Zamfara state took another disturbing turn as suspected armed men re-abducted a trader, Muhammadu Lakada, exactly one year after he was first kidnapped and forced to pay N2 million ransom for his release.
Lakada was abducted again on Tuesday night, August 20, 2025, at his residence in Yan Uku community, Garbadu ward, Talata Mafara local government area.
Confirming the incident, his younger brother, Shehu Muhammed, told Legit.ng that the bandits invaded the house and whisked him away alongside his son, Abubakar Muhammad, and a neighbour identified as Lauwali.
Source: Legit.ng
