ADC urges Tinubu to declare state of emergency in Katsina, Zamfara over mass killings

By Taiwo Oyedeji

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the recent killings in Katsina and Zamfara States, describing it as evidence of Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation.

In a statement signed by the national publicity secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party condemned the massacre in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, where 30 worshippers were shot dead in a mosque during dawn prayers, and 20 villagers were burned alive in their homes.

The party noted that the Malumfashi destruction followed the recent killings in Zamfara where 47 people were slaughtered, including 38 hostages murdered even after ransom had been paid. According to the ADC, no fewer than 45 more Nigerians have also been killed this month alone in Zamfara, with entire villages ransacked and dozens abducted. These attacks have left over 140 people dead in two months.

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The statement criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s handling of the crisis, accusing him of neglecting domestic tragedies while focusing on foreign trips. “It is disheartening to note that instead of confronting these urgent national tragedies with the seriousness that 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,” the statement reads.

ADC further lamented Tinubu’s silence over the killings, noting that the government’s failure to reassure citizens reflects a dire collapse of the country’s internal security.

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The party also faulted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors for holding a political meeting in Zamfara days after the tragedy, calling their action insensitive.

ADC has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a State of Emergency in Katsina and Zamfara in order to halt ongoing violence and restore order. The party also called for a comprehensive re-evaluation of Nigeria’s security framework, citing the Chief of Defence Staff’s recent advice for citizens to learn self-defence as proof that the current system has failed to protect lives and property