The House of Representatives on Tuesday urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to adopt a new and more effective strategy to halt the escalating attacks and extortion by bandits in several Zamfara communities.
The lawmakers also called for the immediate relocation of the Ministers of Defence and all Service Chiefs to Zamfara State to lead a large-scale, coordinated operation aimed at restoring peace in affected areas.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Hon. Mai Palace Ahmadu, who raised alarm over persistent killings, kidnappings, and the imposition of a N100 million levy by bandits on residents of Keta, Bilbis, Kwaren Ganuwa, Danjiga, and neighbouring wards in Tsafe Local Government Area.
Leading the debate, Hon. Ahmadu stressed that the government must uphold the constitutional mandate that places the security and welfare of citizens as its primary responsibility. He noted that recent developments show that authorities have “not done enough” to protect communities in Zamfara and other parts of the country.
According to him, heavily armed bandits, riding in groups of two to three on motorcycles, invaded several communities including Keta, Nasarawa Keta, Kwaren Ganuwa, Bilbis, Danjibga, Yar Tsakkuwa, Kwankwado, Mai Dagalo, Chi Kuraye, Hayin Maru, Buku, Musawa Kalgo and Unguwar Madawaki. The attacks reportedly left over 10 people dead, 130 abducted, and residents forced to pay a collective levy of N100 million.
Ahmadu added that findings from Ruwan Dawa in Magami Ward revealed that 17 residents were killed and foodstuffs carted away, while 14 others were killed in Tofa. Additional fatalities were recorded in Ungwar Malami, Gidan Maza, Sabon Gida, and Zonai.
He recalled that just last Saturday, a former Special Adviser in Zamfara and prominent APC member, Hon. Umar Moriki, was shot dead along the Gusau–Tsafe road, adding that the series of attacks occurred between November 1 and the current date.
The lawmaker expressed concern that the imposed levy is “unjust and unattainable” for residents who depend largely on small-scale farming and petty trading, both disrupted by continuous violence.
He warned that the crisis had created a worsening humanitarian situation marked by food shortages, poor access to healthcare, fear, and deepening poverty. The House urged the Ministers of Defence and the Service Chiefs to take decisive actions that would help identify and dismantle the criminal networks responsible for the attacks.
The Joint Committees on Defence, Army, Navy, Air Force, National Security, and Legislative Compliance were mandated to ensure compliance with the resolution.
