The Zamfara Good Governance Forum (ZGGF), a Non-Governmental Organisation, has called for the immediate resignation of Governor Dauda Lawal over the brutal killing of 35 abducted villagers in Kaura Namoda LGA, despite the payment of N50 million in ransom.

The victims, all residents of Banga village, were abducted months ago when armed bandits stormed the community, taking 53 persons hostage and demanding N1 million per person for their release.

After weeks of painful efforts, the villagers were said to have raised and paid the bandits the N50 million, but only 18 of the captives were returned.

The rest were said to have been slaughtered by their abductors in cold blood, one after the other, during their captivity, according to survivors.

In a statement issued in Gusau on Monday, seen by BusinessDay, the President of the Group, Sani Mohammed, described the situation as the latest example of the shameful collapse of governance and leadership under Governor Lawal, whose approach to security is marked by inconsistency, political gamesmanship, and a complete lack of strategy.

“What happened in Banga village is a national tragedy. Thirty-five innocent citizens were slaughtered like animals — even after a ransom of N50 million was paid. And yet, the governor who swore an oath to protect lives and property is busy playing hide and seek with the same terrorists.

“This governor cannot be trusted. One day, he says amnesty is wrong, the next day he welcomes bandit commanders like honoured guests. Is he in charge of the state or working for the same people who are turning Zamfara into a killing field?” Mohammed stated in the statement.

The Group lambasted Lawal for what it described as a dangerous pattern of double-speak, noting that while the governor publicly denounces amnesty for bandits, he is often seen meeting with their leaders either in the government house or in undisclosed locations in the bush.

The Group further argued that Lawal, who heavily criticised the security failures of his predecessor, Bello Matawalle, had not only failed to do better, but had also shown signs of confusion and desperation, with no coherent policy to stem the bloodshed.

“Before his election, Dauda Lawal positioned himself as the messiah Zamfara needed. He spoke like a man who understood the scale of the crisis. But today, it is obvious he had no plan — only ambition.

“Banga is now ruled by terrorists. Neighbouring villages are deserted. Women are being raped, men are being killed or abducted. What is this governor doing apart from press conferences and photo ops?”, the Group further stated.

According to the ZGGF, under Lawal’s leadership, rural communities like Banga have been left at the mercy of bloodthirsty criminals who now exert full control over territories, force villagers to pay taxes, kidnap at will, and punish those who resist their rule.

The forum Insisted that if Governor Lawal had any respect left for the people of Zamfara, he should vacate office and allow a more competent, courageous hand to take over the task of restoring peace and sanity to the state.

“This is no longer about politics. It is about life and death. He has failed. He knows it. Everyone knows it. His continued stay in office is a mockery of the pain and bloodshed we have endured. He should resign with what’s left of his dignity.

“Zamfara is bleeding. The President must act. But before that, the governor must go,” the statement concluded.

The Group also urged President Bola Tinubu to declare a special security operation in Zamfara, deploy more troops, and treat the situation as a national emergency, warning that the country cannot afford to ignore the scale of terror in the State. (BusinessDay)