Angry residents boo Zamfara deputy governor during condolence visit

Angry youths booed the Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Malam Mani Mummuni, and attacked his convoy in Gwashi community, Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State, on Sunday.

The incident occurred when the deputy governor visited the community on a condolence visit following last week’s attack that led to the killing of nine security personnel and civilians.

A resident who spoke to Daily Trust on condition of anonymity said the community was angry with the deputy governor and the state government over the security challenges in the area said to be one of the largest political wards in the local government.

“The last time they visited us was more than three years ago; they visited us during the 2023 election campaign. Since then, neither the deputy governor nor any state government delegation has visited us to show concern about our growing security challenges.”

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“Today, we have shown the world the situation we are in. We have expressed our grievances on several occasions, but no action has been taken to address insecurity and the lack of development projects,” he said.

The resident added that following the bandits’ attacks, members of the community spent six consecutive days without going out to purchase essential items.

“We spent six to seven days without leaving our community. Security personnel stopped escorting people, and nobody could risk his life by going out. If we spend more days like that, believe me, even salt will become unavailable,” he said.

He also lamented the lack of basic amenities in the community.

“We do not have an access road, a good hospital or portable drinking water. Our school buildings are dilapidated,” he said.

Another resident, who also spoke to Daily Trust on condition of anonymity, said the secondary school in the community had deteriorated to the extent that animals now use the premises for shelter.

He said women, children, youths and elderly residents came out to express their grievances to the deputy governor and demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the administration.

“We came out in large numbers, with women, children, youths and elderly people booing the deputy governor and chanting ‘Bamayi, Bamayi’ [we will not]. We know he came to canvass for votes, and we will not vote for them,” he said.

The resident further alleged that the angry youths attacked the deputy governor’s convoy.

“Even the deputy governor narrowly escaped, and a vehicle was destroyed,” he claimed.

However, a member of the deputy governor’s entourage, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, denied that the convoy was attacked.

He said the protesters were around the market area while the deputy governor’s gathering took place near the community’s hospital.

“What they are saying is not true. We were in an entirely different location, and the car they claimed was destroyed was a security vehicle that developed a mechanical fault. It was later towed away,” he said.

Another source told Daily Trust that the deputy governor was accompanied by many security personnel who blocked people from accessing the venue where he addressed some persons on the issue of insecurity.

“Massive deployment of security personnel prevented people from getting close enough to register their grievances. However, we booed the deputy governor and stoned the convoy,” he said.

“Even the deputy governor narrowly escaped because the youths were angry over the lack of government concern and intervention.”

‘Gwashi incident a dangerous warning signal’

Reacting to the development, a commentator, Dahiru Samaila Mafara, described the incident as a dangerous warning signal that the Zamfara State Government and the Federal Government must not ignore.

Mafara said the anger that erupted in Gwashi reflected years of accumulated frustration among residents who had struggled to access their farmlands, markets and neighbouring communities because of banditry.

He said residents in several parts of Zamfara had suffered repeated attacks and kidnappings and faced restrictions on movement, while some were allegedly forced to pay levies to bandits to access their farms.

According to him, the incident involving the deputy governor’s convoy exposed the depth of public dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of insecurity.

“If a Deputy Governor cannot enter his immediate community without his convoy being attacked by angry residents, what is the fate of ordinary politicians, councillors and candidates?” he asked.

Mafara warned that the incident could have serious political implications ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly in communities where residents felt abandoned because of persistent attacks.

He expressed concern over the security situation on major highways across the state, including the Gusau-Anka, Gusau-Talata Mafara, Gusau-Kaura Namoda, Kaura Namoda-Shinkafi and Kaura Namoda-Zurmi roads.

He also cited the Mayanchi-Gummi route as one of the areas where travellers faced security concerns.

Mafara said the inability of residents to move freely, cultivate their farms and conduct business without fear had contributed to growing distrust of government. He added that some communities had reportedly resorted to negotiating with bandits to survive.

He called on the Zamfara State Government, the Federal Government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to take urgent steps to address the security challenges.

He urged the authorities to establish a permanent security presence in Bukkuyum, Anka, Maru, Maradun, Tsafe, Kaura Namoda, Zurmi, Shinkafi and other affected communities.

While acknowledging the reported donation of N500,000 to each affected family, Mafara said financial assistance could not replace the need for lasting security.

He said residents wanted to return to their farms, travel without fear and sleep peacefully in their homes.

Mafara warned that failure to address the grievances that triggered the anger in Gwashi could lead to further confrontations between residents and government officials.