The Zamfara Conscience Movement (ZCM) expressed concern over a seemingly close relationship between the Zamfara State government, led by Governor Dauda Lawal Dare, and bandit groups terrorizing the region.
The ZCM’s worries stem from a video featuring notorious bandit leader Bello Turji criticizing government officials, including Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle.
The ZCM views these statements as potentially indicative of a deeper collaboration with criminals.
In a signed statement, ZCM Chairman Sahabi Lawali highlighted a previous video showing armed bandits confessing ties to the government.
These revelations, coupled with Turji’s pronouncements, suggest a disturbing trend of collusion between the current administration and criminal elements.
The videos depict bandits expressing loyalty to Governor Lawal and pledging to follow his orders, raising serious questions about the administration’s motives.
“Governor Lawal appears to be using these bandits to discredit his predecessor,” stated Lawali. “This undermines the rule of law, ethics, and the safety of our citizens.”
Lawali pointed to the worsening security situation under the current administration compared to the previous one led by Bello Matawalle. He noted that bandit attacks on local government headquarters, nonexistent under Matawalle, are now frequent.
“Governor Lawal’s lack of action against these invasions is disappointing,” said Lawali. “He should focus on security and supporting victims, not criticizing his predecessor.”
Lawali urged Governor Lawal to prioritize security and collaborate with the federal government to address the root causes of the attacks.
The ZCM emphasized the stark difference in security between the two administrations and called on Governor Lawal to focus on curbing violence rather than personal vendettas.
The group pointed out that Governor Matawalle’s decision to engage with bandits is seemingly corroborated by the presence of former IGP MD Abubakar in Governor Lawal’s administration. Abubakar led the reconciliation committee under Matawalle that engaged with bandits and community representatives.
“Despite Governor Lawal’s opposition to negotiating with bandits, Bello Turji’s claim suggests Abubakar may still be continuing talks behind the scenes,” the ZCM said.
The ZCM called for a transparent investigation into these developments to ensure accountability and preserve the integrity of Zamfara’s political system. Inaction, they warned, would embolden criminals and erode public trust.
“The administration must address these allegations directly,” Lawali added. “Decisive action is needed to dismantle any government-bandit alliances. Public trust and the rule of law must be restored.”
“The video evidence is clear. Immediate and thorough measures are essential to safeguard citizens and uphold democratic principles in Zamfara State,” Lawali said.
