By Admin 
As insecurity worsens in Zamfara State, the Northern Citizens Alliance for Justice (NCAJ) has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency, citing a total collapse of governance and alleged complicity of state officials in illegal mining.
In a statement issued Friday in Kaduna, NCAJ President Mallam Kabiru Sani Bako condemned what he described as a deliberate failure of leadership. “What we’re seeing in Zamfara is not governance—it’s abandonment. Those elected to lead have failed the people,” Bako said.
He highlighted the absence of a functioning House of Assembly, the state government’s inaction in the face of violence, and persistent allegations of official involvement in unlawful mining. “This goes beyond politics—it’s a betrayal of public trust,” he added.
Describing the crisis as “a slow-burning war the country is dangerously ignoring,” Bako said many residents now pay bandits to farm or travel safely. He pointed to communities like Zurmi, Shinkafi, Anka, and Bukkuyum, where safety has become a luxury. “Schools are unsafe, markets are empty, and women and children are frequent targets of abduction or abuse,” he said.
Bako also noted the breakdown of democratic institutions, referencing the suspension of 10 lawmakers who had spoken out about the crisis. “This erosion of accountability has turned governance into a dictatorship of silence,” he warned.
He accused some state officials of profiting from the chaos while being tasked with protecting the public, and urged President Tinubu to act decisively. “We need intervention—not platitudes, but constitutional authority,” he said.
The NCAJ is demanding the immediate declaration of a state of emergency and the appointment of a neutral administrator to restore governance and security. The group plans to submit a detailed report to the National Assembly and the National Security Adviser to support its call.
“If urgent steps aren’t taken, Zamfara risks becoming a haven for terrorist groups. Nigeria cannot afford further delay,” Bako warned.