The Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, has suggested an imposition of emergency rule in Zamfara State as the only solution to the incessant attacks and wanton destruction of innocent lives and valuable resources.
The CNG, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said since the state governor, Abdul-Aziz Yari, has persistently shown lack of concern for citizens’ lives that are lost almost on a daily basis, resort must be made to other viable options.
Recall that the group had earlier asked for emergency rule in four states of the North including Zamfara state. Other frontline states where people’s lives are wasted, according to the group, are Benue, Kaduna and Taraba.
CNG said, “We are extremely concerned that a few days after we made the earlier call, Zurmi community was sacked and more 50 people were killed.
“We are also profoundly agitated that while the terrorised community of Zurmi was burying its dead, Yari was languishing in Abuja at the expense of the state.
“More disturbing still is that Yari arrogantly refuse to even return to the state upon receiving the news of the attacks, instead he flew to Katsina and was later sighted at a political meeting with Mr President in Daura.
“And still unmoved by the plight of the people, Yari left the country on private business only to return days afterwards.
“This crass insensitivity displayed by Yari should not be overlooked and stands condemned and unacceptable.
“By his action, Yari has proved incompetent to remain in power and and not safe to be entrusted with people’s lives.
“Since his assumption of power, Zamfara has steadily been retrogressing with no project for the people while the man who is supposed to be in charge junkets round the globe in pursuit of private businesses.
“And while the deadly incidents that have left citizens of Zamfara traumatised, Yari has made himself a lackey all the time seen in Abuja around the President.”
The groups explained that the foregoing led them to the conclusion that Yari is not ready to govern and the option left for the protection of lives in the state is replacing him and all existing structures with a military sole administrator.
CNG recalled that since late 2011, the year Yari assumed power, Zamfara has continuously been gripped by recurring violence that has claimed several lives and displaced many more leaving in its wake battalions of orphans, windows and incapacitated people.
It lamented, “This chain of deadly attacks and killings while the governor remained indifferent, can be seen in the following catalogue of ugly incidents reproduced hereunder in descending order.
“January 18, 2018: Gunmen on motorcycles kill 6 people, wound 4 and abduct 2 sons of a federal legislator at Gora Village, Maradun LGA.
“September 22, 2017: Gunmen on motorcycles kill an official at the Tsafe LGA office of FRSC. Soldiers kill one gunman but others escape.
“January 26, 2017: Suspected herdsmen kill a hunter in Magazu Village, Tsafe LGA, in a failed bid to find one Rabo who allegedly stole their cow.
“November 19, 2016: 25 people killed by cattle-rustlers at Dole, Tudun Bugaje and Kwangwami villages of Zurmi LGA.
“November 18, 2016: Gunmen rustle cattle and kidnap 40 villagers in Maru LGA.
“November 7, 2016: Gunmen kill 40 gold miners at a mining camp near Gidan Ardo Village in Maru LGA.
“November 6, 2016: Armed robbers kill 10 traders from Kanoma town who were on their way to the Talata-Mafara market. Similar attacks occurred earlier at Shinkafi LGA.
“May 5, 2016: Armed bandits kill people at Madada and Ruwan Tofa villages, according to police. Number of casualties not stated.
“February 6, 2016: Gunmen kill 50 villagers, stole cattle, and burnt down houses in a night attack on Kwanar Dutse Village in Maru LGA.
“July 2015: Gunmen on motorcycles kill over 30 people, torched houses and rustled cows and sheep at Kokeya and Chigama villages of Birnin-Magaji LGA.
“September 2014: Bandits kill 33 people, rape women and rustle cows at Akuzo, Zarfarawar-Girke, Kofa, Kundubau, Wonaka, Fura-Girke, Fegin Mahe, Kukar Gandu, Kanawa, Lafiya and Gora villages.
“April 6, 2014: Gunmen kill over 200 people in ‘Yar Galadima Village at a meeting of traditional rulers and vigilantes discussing action against robbers.
“September 30, 2013: At least 3 people killed by cattle-rustlers in a night attack on Buzuzu Village, near Bukkuyum Town.
“July – September 2013: Gunmen kill 160 people and abducted 10 married women in a 3-month period, according to the Zamfara State Governor.
“June 18, 2013: 48 people died when gunmen attacked Kizara Village in Tsafe LGA in a morning raid. Among the dead were the District Head, the village Imam and the vigilante leader.
“December 14, 2012: Gunmen on motorcycles shot dead 10 members of a vigilante patrolling a market at Rukudawa in Zurmi LGA.
“October 30, 2012: Gunmen kill 20 people including the village head of Kabaro in Dansadau, Maru LGA.
“October 11, 2012: Up to 80 gunmen on motorcycles kill 26 people in Dan-Gulbi, Guru, Sabuwar Kasuwa and Biya villages of Maru LGA. Some of the victims’ throats were slit.
“May 12, 2012: 8 persons, including 4 policemen, die in a shoot-out with armed robbers at Dansadau, Maru LGA. 5 other policemen went missing.
“January 26, 2012: Gunmen kill and set fire to 15 traders returning to Birnin-Magaji from a market in Shamushalle at the Katsina border.
“December 2011: Robbers attack Jangebe Village of Gusau LGA and kill 4 four policemen and 2 children.
“October 3, 2011: Gunmen kill 23 people in a night attack on Lingyado Village in Maru LGA. Police believe it was reprisal for a vigilante attack on herdsmen.”
The coalition frowned at what it called, “complacent National Assembly” that has obviously failed the people by not moving to save lives through promulgation against the actions of such governors.
“The Zamfara state legislature is as well complicit in this matter by not taking steps to checkmate Governor Yari’s neglect of the people that brought them to power and whom they swore to protect,” CNG observed.
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