HRWA Urges Tinubu to Declare Emergency in Zamfara Over Alleged Release of Convicted Bandits

Growing anxiety over the security situation in Zamfara State has intensified as the Human Rights Watchdog in Africa, HRWA, has urged President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency following reports that hundreds of inmates convicted for banditry-related offences were recently freed from the Gusau Correctional Centre. The organisation said the alleged mass release had triggered fear among residents already dealing with frequent attacks, abductions and communal clashes.

HRWA claimed that Governor Dauda Lawal approved the release of 69 convicted bandits in September under what it described as a secret state pardon. The group said the process was executed through the Zamfara State Zakat and Endowment Board under a programme labelled “Religious Amnesty.”

In a statement issued on Friday, HRWA Executive Director Samson Adamu said the development had heightened public distress, especially as some of the individuals released were reportedly involved in severe crimes. According to the group, eight of the released suspects had been remanded since January 2022 over allegations including criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, dealing in human parts and acts described by authorities as extremely violent.

Adamu noted that the inmates reportedly pardoned were convicted under previous administrations led by Abdul’aziz Yari and Bello Matawalle. He said this had deepened concerns about the state government’s overall management of security issues.

He accused Governor Lawal of minimising the seriousness of the insecurity in Zamfara and insisted that federal intervention was now essential to stabilise the state.

“These developments have left many communities in fear and confusion. If the state government cannot guarantee the safety of its citizens, then the President must exercise emergency powers to restore order,” Adamu said.

HRWA called on President Tinubu to suspend the governor, overhaul Zamfara’s entire security framework and order an independent investigation into the alleged pardons. The group said these actions were necessary to prevent the escalating crisis from spiralling further and to ensure that residents can feel safe again.