The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately declare a State of Emergency in Katsina and Zamfara States following the recent killings in Malumfashi, Katsina State, where dozens of worshippers and villagers were reportedly murdered.
In a statement on Sunday, the party’s publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the killings as further evidence of Nigeria’s failing security system. He linked the violence to a wider wave of attacks across Katsina and Zamfara, which he said had claimed more than 140 lives in just two months.
“In view of the foregoing, the ADC therefore calls for the immediate declaration of a State of Emergency in Katsina and Zamfara States until the government is able to stem the tide of bloodshed in those places and restore some order,” Abdullahi said.
The party said that in Malumfashi, 30 worshippers were shot dead in a mosque during dawn prayers, while 20 villagers were burned alive in their homes. It added that the attacks followed similar massacres in Zamfara, where dozens of people were killed, including hostages murdered even after ransom was paid, while villages were ransacked and many residents abducted.
The ADC also faulted the decision of PDP governors to hold a political meeting in Zamfara shortly after the killings, describing it as insensitive to the victims and their families.
“It is disheartening to note that instead of confronting these urgent national tragedies with the seriousness they demand, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu continues to jet-set across the world, chasing photo-ops, while his people are dying in dozens at home.
“We wish to remind Mr. President that diplomacy abroad is meaningless if safety and security at home cannot be guaranteed.
“It is equally appalling to note that President Tinubu has not made a direct statement of condolence to the families of the victims or given assurances of safety to those still alive.
“This negligence would have been unthinkable in the countries the President loves to visit,” the statement read in part.
The party warned that recent comments by the Chief of Defence Staff, advising Nigerians to learn self-defence, highlight the collapse of the security system.
“This evil act epitomises the horrors that Nigerians have been forced to endure under this administration.
“It is also damning proof of the total collapse of our national security architecture, which has prompted even the nation’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to ask citizens to learn how to defend themselves,” Abdullahi added.
