From Abdullahi Alhassan, Zamfara
All 14 local government areas of Zamfara State are facing serious security challenges, according to APC chieftain and security analyst Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, who has called on President Bola Tinubu to deploy additional troops to the state.
Shinkafi, also a senatorial aspirant, made the call in an interview in Kaduna while commenting on the recent confrontation involving the convoy of the Zamfara State Deputy Governor in Bukkuyum Local Government Area.
He described the incident as a warning sign of growing public frustration over insecurity, saying residents blocked roads and chanted slogans against the state government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) despite the presence of security personnel.
“The attack is a serious danger signal. It shows there is serious anger on the land,” he said.
Banditry Disrupts Movement Across Zamfara
Shinkafi said insecurity had affected major roads and communities across the state, making travel increasingly dangerous for residents and motorists.
He cited routes linking Gusau with Tsafe, Anka, Kaura Namoda, Shinkafi, Zurmi and other communities as areas where travellers face security risks. He also alleged that more than 10 security personnel had been killed by bandits while escorting travellers to a market days before the interview.
According to him, residents are struggling to access farms, markets and schools because of persistent attacks, kidnappings and ransom demands.
“People are killed on a daily basis. People are kidnapped from their homes. Payment of ransom is persistent. They cannot go to their farms, they cannot go to market, and all the schools are closed,” he said.
He further alleged that bandits impose levies on some communities and continue to carry out attacks despite the presence of security personnel in Gusau, the state capital.
Zamfara: Shinkafi Questions Security Spending
The APC chieftain acknowledged the efforts of frontline security personnel but argued that shortages of personnel, equipment and motivation were undermining operations against armed groups.
He also questioned the effectiveness of government spending on security, saying increased budgetary allocations had not translated into sufficient improvements in the situation.
“Government claims more budget has been proposed for security, but the performance does not match the figures appropriated,” he said.
Shinkafi called for a more aggressive military campaign against bandits, particularly in their hideouts, arguing that negotiations with armed groups could encourage further criminal activity.
“The only way forward is to apply a total military approach against these bandits in their enclaves. If you say you want to negotiate with bandits, you are rewarding criminality,” he said.
However, he maintained that military operations should be accompanied by measures addressing unemployment, poverty, drug abuse, weak judicial institutions, inadequate infrastructure, the proliferation of small arms and climate change.
Tinubu, Zamfara Governor Urged to Act
Shinkafi urged President Tinubu to increase military deployment to Zamfara and called on Governor Dauda Lawal to remain in the state and prioritise efforts to address insecurity.
“This is the time for Mr President to sit up, and for the governor to come back and stay at home to find a lasting solution,” he said.
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He also warned that insecurity could become a major issue in the 2027 general elections, saying the APC could face electoral consequences if the situation remained unresolved.
“If care is not taken, God forbid, the electorate will use this insecurity as a yardstick to vote against APC. I am a member of APC and a senatorial aspirant, but I am telling you the truth,” he said.
The comments come amid continuing concerns over attacks by armed groups in Zamfara and other parts of north-western Nigeria.
While government officials have maintained that security is improving in some areas and that additional resources are being committed to tackling the threat, Shinkafi disputed that assessment, insisting that conditions on the ground remained serious.