…calls for state of emergency in affected areas
By Yinka Giwa
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed concern over the escalating violence in Katsina and Zamfara States, urging President Bola Tinubu to place national security above foreign engagements and take urgent measures to halt the killings.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party condemned the recent massacre in Malumfashi, Katsina State, where scores of worshippers and villagers were reported killed. The ADC linked the incident to a broader surge of attacks in Katsina and Zamfara, noting that more than 140 lives have been lost in the two states in the past two months.
The party therefore called on the President to declare a state of emergency in the two states until order is restored, and to initiate a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s security architecture. It added that the recent comment by the Chief of Defence Staff urging citizens to develop self-defence skills underscores the gravity of the situation.
“The events in Katsina and Zamfara highlight the need for urgent, decisive action,” the statement read. “Diplomatic engagements abroad cannot take the place of ensuring safety and security at home. Nigerians need reassurance that their government is fully engaged with the crisis.”
The ADC also criticised the timing of a meeting of PDP governors in Zamfara, which was held just days after dozens of residents were killed. The party described the decision as “insensitive,” arguing that the focus should have been on solidarity with victims and supporting efforts to address insecurity.
It concluded that the rising death toll demonstrates the urgent necessity for government and political actors across all divides to shift attention from partisan politics to the protection of lives and property, stressing that “security remains the foundation of governance.”