The Northern Safety and Integrity Discussion board (NSIF) has accused Dauda Lawal, governor of Zamfara, of placing “politics over lives” following his current engagement with leaders of armed {groups} within the state.
In an announcement issued on Friday in Gusau and signed by its nationwide president, Sulaiman Ali Mustapha, the discussion board described the governor’s participation in peace conferences with wished bandit leaders as a “shameful U-turn” that betrays public belief.
A part of the assertion learn: “Governor Dauda Lawal has now grow to be the dwelling embodiment of the phrase: ‘politics over lives.
“For years, he demonized former Governor Bello Matawalle’s method to banditry, portraying it as weak, immoral, and counterproductive.
“But right this moment, after greater than 20,000 civilians and over 500 safety personnel have been killed, Lawal is doing precisely what he as soon as ridiculed — sitting with attackers and preaching dialogue.”
The discussion board stated current peace engagements held in Zamfara and Katsina, the place infamous bandits like Ado Aleru had been seen addressing public gatherings, have left victims of violence disillusioned.
“These conferences should not acts of peace — they’re acts of give up. They present a authorities that’s overwhelmed and now embracing a technique it as soon as mocked,” it stated.
NSIF stated Lawal should supply Nigerians “a nationwide apology,” not one other press assertion or roundtable.
“By deceptive the general public and endangering lives by means of vanity and political grandstanding, he owes the individuals of Zamfara and Nigeria greater than explanations — he owes them contrition,” the group said.
The group described former governor Bello Matawalle as “a person forward of his time” whose much-criticized peace technique has now been quietly adopted by his successor.
“It’s now apparent that Bello Matawalle deserves not simply vindication however canonization.
“He pursued peace amid criticism, relied on info over populism, and stayed the course when others opted for rhetoric,” the discussion board stated.
NSIF accused the present administration of missing a strategic safety framework, saying its response has been pushed by media optics and inconsistency.
“Underneath Lawal, banditry has worsened, abductions are rising, and rural communities are being worn out, whereas the state holds press briefings as an alternative of delivering outcomes.
“Now that he’s crawling again to the identical carrot-and-stick mannequin he as soon as discredited, Nigerians should ask: who’s fooling who?” the group stated.
The discussion board stated the governor’s peace method confirms that navy drive alone can not resolve the disaster — a degree the earlier administration acknowledged.
“This isn’t about glorifying criminals. It’s about understanding that absolute militarisation has failed. Working with community-linked actors, alongside legislation enforcement, can present house for actual options,” the group said.
NSIF urged civil society, the safety group, and media watchdogs to demand larger transparency from the Zamfara authorities.
“What we’re witnessing just isn’t innovation. It’s imitation — badly executed,” the assertion stated.
The discussion board additionally disclosed plans to submit a file on Zamfara’s safety failures to the Nationwide Safety Adviser and the Senate Committee on Military for additional scrutiny.
“It’s not acceptable for politicians to weaponize insecurity throughout elections solely to undertake the identical condemned methods as soon as in workplace,” the group added.