Human Rights Watchdog Urges Tinubu to Declare State of Emergency in Zamfara, Sanction Governor
President Bola Tinubu has been encouraged by Human Rights Watchdog in Africa (HRWA) to proclaim a state of emergency in Zamfara, a turbulent state in northwest Nigeria.
The group said that Governor Dauda Lawal’s irresponsible political gamesmanship and flagrant disdain for human life were contributing factors to insecurity.
The urgent request was made on November 28, 2025, in reaction to shocking news that more than 500 prisoners convicted of crimes related to banditry—many of whom had been imprisoned under earlier administrations—had been suddenly released from the Gusau Correctional Facility.
According to insiders at the jail, 69 seasoned bandits who had purportedly gotten a covert state pardon from Governor Lawal as early as September 2025 were among the released inmates.
Additional information revealed that these formerly incarcerated individuals were directed through the Zamfara State Zakat and Endowment Board for “Religious Amnesty,” purportedly to facilitate their reintegration into society.
Sources confirmed that eight suspects remanded in January 2022 for horrible crimes, such as criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, dealing in human parts, and cannibalism, were among those who profited from what HRWA referred to as Lawal’s “backdoor amnesty,” adding to the outrage.
Thousands of Zamfara residents are in “a serious circle of confusion and fear” as a result of the releases, which are linked to convictions from the administrations of former Governor Senator Abdul’aziz Yari and former Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle (now Minister of State Defense). Communities are preparing for a possible return of violence.
In a scathing statement, HRWA Executive Director Samson Adamu attacked Lawal for using the state’s widespread banditry problem as a political football.
Adamu said, “This is sacrilegious and completely against humanity.” “Governor Lawal has always played politics while our people suffer, never really taking the insecurity afflicting Zamfara seriously.
“Since he took office, things have drastically gotten worse: families have been split apart, villages have been destroyed, and now there is this betrayal by releasing convicted murderers onto our streets under the pretense of amnesty.”
Governor Lawal was accused by Adamu of making hollow claims about putting an end to banditry “in two months” while covertly protecting those who commit these crimes.
“It’s a death sentence for innocent civilians and a mockery of justice.” How can a commander who says he is aware of every bandit kingpin’s position, including their phone numbers, forgive the very creatures that are frightening his people?
This is complicity, not governance. Lawal’s actions have made Zamfara a haven for bandits, given criminals more confidence, and damaged public confidence in the legal system. President Tinubu needs to intervene immediately if he refuses to defend his people.
The watchdog recommended Tinubu to remove Lawal, restructure the state’s security apparatus, and initiate a federal investigation into the pardons by using emergency powers granted under the Nigerian Constitution. Adamu emphasized, “Sanction him hard.”
“Take away his power before more blood is shed.” HRWA is in solidarity with Zamfara’s voiceless victims, and we won’t stop until justice is served.
