By Patrick Wemambu
Factional Zamfara State House of Assembly led by Hon. Bashir Aliyu Gummi, has appealed to Gov Dauda Lawal’s administration to compensate families of indigenes of the state who were abducted sometime ago by bandits but later slain Monday after paying N50 million ransom to their captors.
Condemning what it described as barbaric, the law-makers lamented the killing of the 38 villagers who were among 56 persons abducted four months ago in Banga Ward, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area.
Presenting the motion under matters of urgent public importance, Hon. Mukhtaru Nasiru Kaura, member representing Kaura Namoda North, accused Governor Lawal of abandoning his constituents.
“These people were butchered like rams after being abandoned by the government. Our efforts to draw attention to the worsening insecurity (in the state) led to our purported suspension from the House,” he alleged.
Supporting the motion, Hon. Nasiru Abdullahi Maru (Maru North) and Hon. Bashir Bello Bungudu (Bungudu West) criticised the governor’s approach to security.
The House urged the Zamfara State Government to compensate the families of the 38 murdered villagers immediately. Hon. Aliyu Ango Kagara (Talata Mafara South) also spoke on the issue.
The members concluded the sitting with a two-minute silence in honour of the 38 murdered villagers.
However, contrary to allegations of inadequate response to insecurity levelled against it by critics, the Zamfara state government has condemned the massacre of the innocent villagers by the terrorists. In a statement, the administration viewed the killings as ‘barbaric and cowardly.’ It declared that such atrocities added to its resolve to wipe out terrorism from the state.
“To the grieving families, we share your sorrow and pray for strength and healing. To the good people of Zamfara, remain united and vigilant. Report suspicious activities, and together, we will defeat evil,” the release asserted.
Nigerian Pilot recalls that in an attempt to curb the spiralling kidnapping industry in Zamfara, former Gov Bello Matawalle administration in 2022 signed into law a bill prescribing death sentence for cattle rustlers, bandits and criminals found guilty of the offences in the state.
