A northern civic advocacy group, Coalition for Safer North-West Communities (CSNC), has issued a scathing criticism of the Zamfara State Government over its handling of the security situation in the state, calling for urgent intervention from the National Assembly.

In a statement released on Wednesday and signed by the group's President, Alhaji Murtala Shehu Gusau, the coalition blamed the persistent insecurity in Zamfara on what it described as "lack of courage and gross administrative ineptitude" of Governor Dauda Lawal's administration.

"We are alarmed at the continued deterioration of security in Zamfara State, and after a critical assessment, we have no choice but to hold the state government accountable. Governor Dauda Lawal has shown a worrying lack of courage in the face of terror and has consistently failed to provide strategic leadership that inspires confidence among residents or security agencies," the group declared.

The CSNC emphasized that despite the deployment of military personnel and federal government interventions, Zamfara remains one of the most dangerous states to live in. The group painted a grim picture of the situation across the state, noting that rural communities have become "killing fields" while residents in the capital live in constant fear of abductions.

"It is not enough to issue statements from Gusau. What the people need is action. From Dansadau to Maru, Anka to Tsafe, farmers can no longer access their farmlands, women are being kidnapped in broad daylight, and children are growing up under the sound of gunfire," Alhaji Gusau stated.

The coalition accused Governor Lawal's administration of inconsistency in security management, lack of collaboration with federal authorities, and failure to engage local leaders and traditional institutions in community-based intelligence gathering.

"Zamfara is bleeding, and the government seems more interested in political propaganda than real solutions. How many more people need to die before we begin to see seriousness? The governor needs to admit that his strategy, if any, has failed and make way for fresh thinking," the statement added.

The group also raised concerns about transparency in the state's security spending, challenging the government to publish a breakdown of its security expenditure for 2023 and the first quarter of 2024.

"We challenge the Zamfara State Government to publish the breakdown of its security spending for 2023 and the first quarter of 2024. We deserve to know what has been done with public funds meant to protect lives," the CSNC president demanded.

The coalition specifically called on Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis and other lawmakers representing Zamfara at the National Assembly to conduct an independent assessment of the security situation and recommend pathways to restoring peace in the state.

"This is not the time for partisan silence. Zamfara's future is at stake. We urge Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis and other representatives to raise their voices and ensure that the suffering of our people is not ignored at the national level," the statement emphasized.

The CSNC concluded by stating that it would continue to mount pressure on elected officials at both state and federal levels until Zamfara experiences a turnaround in security and governance.

"We want peace. But peace will not come through platitudes. It requires bold leadership, integrity, and vision — all of which are sorely lacking in the current state government. Governor Dauda Lawal must wake up to his responsibilities or respectfully step aside for someone who can," the statement concluded.