The Zamfara Youth Vanguard for Peace (ZYVP) has formally requested President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to establish a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate allegations surrounding Governor Dauda Lawal’s purported support for terrorist activities in the state.
In a letter addressed to the President and shared with the National Security Adviser and the Attorney General of the Federation, the group accused Governor Lawal of transferring N1.378 billion to bandits and terrorists, which they argue contradicts his claims of promoting peace in the region.
The letter, signed by ZYVP president Comrade Bello Yakubu, further alleges that Governor Lawal has initiated crackdowns on whistleblowers and has connections to convicted terrorist Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab.
The group pointed to Lawal’s recent visit to the United States, where he reportedly met with Abdulmutallab, who is his brother-in-law, as indicative of his alleged ties to terrorism.
“As of July 2, 2024, Governor Lawal has paid One Billion, Three Hundred and Seventy-Eight Million Naira (N1,378,000,000) to bandits and terrorists in the region,” Yakubu stated. “This raises two critical issues.”
“First, despite claims that these payments were part of peacebuilding efforts, there has been a noticeable increase in terrorist activities, leading us to believe that the funds were used for logistics and acquiring new weaponry.”
“Secondly, Governor Lawal has enacted severe measures against whistleblowers who exposed his connections to terrorism through these questionable payments. These individuals are currently being held incommunicado at his behest and face forgery charges, a move perceived as an attempt to divert blame and discredit the authentic documents detailing the payments.”
The group expressed concern over what they perceive as Governor Lawal’s plans to internationalize the conflict against Nigeria by potentially targeting the country’s key allies, thereby undermining President Tinubu’s administration and casting it as ineffective in handling security issues.
As of the time of writing, Governor Lawal was reported to be visiting the United States, with plans to stop at the Administrative Maximum Facility (ADX Florence) in Colorado, where Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab is incarcerated.
Abdulmutallab, known as the “underwear bomber,” was sentenced to multiple life terms for his role in a failed bombing in 2009.
The letter highlighted that Lawal is married to Abdulmutallab’s elder sister and is believed to have played a role in radicalizing him. The group claims that this visit is linked to Lawal’s alleged agenda to destabilize the Sahel region while benefiting from the constitutional immunity that shields him from arrest and prosecution.
Moreover, the group cited the detention of Bashir Hadejia, a known associate of Governor Lawal, by law enforcement agencies. Hadejia reportedly confessed to plotting to destabilize Nigeria and was implicated in the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest, which aimed to challenge the current government.
The Nigeria Police Force has charged Hadejia with treason and other serious offenses, claiming he was acting on behalf of the Zamfara State Governor.
The ZYVP argues that a judicial commission of inquiry is crucial to uncover Governor Lawal’s involvement in supporting terrorism and to address the escalating terror threat in the northwest region, ensuring the safety and well-being of all Nigerians.
“We urge Mr. President to urgently establish a judicial commission of inquiry into the activities of bandits in Nigeria, which will help expose the Zamfara State Governor’s role,” Yakubu emphasized.
“Should the inquiry confirm that he poses a threat to society, he should be placed on a terror watch list, and his activities should be closely monitored to prevent further plots against Nigeria.”
The group believes that initiating this inquiry would mark a significant step toward dismantling the terror threat emanating from the northwest. They have raised their concerns for the sake of humanity and expect a proactive response from the Federal Government to mitigate the risk posed by the Governor.
