By Atoyebi Nike
A prominent human rights activist, Dr. Suleiman Shuaibu Shinkafi, has urged President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara State over the persistent killings by armed bandits.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday in Kaduna, Shinkafi who also serves as the National President of the African Youth and Conflict Resolution Network lamented the daily loss of innocent lives in the state, particularly among rural farmers.
He argued that if political tensions in Rivers State could prompt emergency measures, the scale of violence and humanitarian crisis in Zamfara warrants even more urgent federal intervention.
“The reality on ground is that in Zamfara, killings of farmers have become a daily occurrence. About 38 farmers were slaughtered by bandits after 60 of them were held in captivity for four months,” Shinkafi said.
He blamed Governor Dauda Lawal for failing to deliver on his campaign promise to tackle insecurity, noting that despite assurances to restore peace within two weeks of assuming office, the situation has continued to deteriorate nearly two years into his tenure.
Shinkafi accused the governor of failing to collaborate effectively with the Federal Government and local stakeholders to develop practical strategies for addressing the crisis. “He is not doing enough. The governor is ignoring advice from concerned stakeholders who want peace restored,” he added.
He said human rights advocates across the country would soon convene to map out steps towards restoring order and safeguarding lives in the troubled state.
