A group, Zamfara Circle Community Initiative, has condemned the war of words between the Zamfara State Government and the Federal Government over alleged secret negotiations with terrorists initiated by the agents of the latter without consent of the former.
The group said the exchange of words between the two tiers of government that ought to rub shoulders to bring an end to over a decade of bloodshed, kidnapping and cattle rustling in the state is unwarranted, and unbecoming.
This was contained in a press statement signed and issued to newsmen in Gusau, Zamfara State capital, by the chairman of the group, Alhaji Aminu M. Lawal.
“The Circle urged Zamfara State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria to henceforth desist from this embarrassing public exchange of words, take responsibility, find a way to resolve issues and establish an effective collaboration to end banditry for our collective good and survival.
“The Circle wishes to call on the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal to sit-up, suspend all unnecessary travels and face the reality at hand. Looking at the situation in Zamfara State today, the Circle believes that Dauda doesn’t have the luxury of time or travel as the State is being taken over by bandits.
“The Circle reiterates its earlier call on Governor Dauda Lawal to, as a matter of urgency, restore governance at local government levels and make strategic plans that will speed up development in Zamfara’s remote rural communities,” the group said.
It urged the governor to setup a security strategy team to combat the insecurity in the state.
Continuing, the group said it will map-out and engage with all stakeholders to make it all inclusive, community-driven and participatory, pointing out that this will make the project acceptable by all stakeholders and ensure its full and hitch-free implementation.
The group also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deploy the immediate past Governor of Zamfara State Hon. Bello Mohammed Matawalle from the Ministry of Defense as a State Minister to another Federal Ministry for the interest of peace and to block any loophole that may lead to politicization of security in the state.
