A coalition of civil society organisations has condemned Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal for abandoning victims of the Kaura Namoda massacre to attend a party in London, only to return weeks later for political campaigning.
In a statement signed by its convener, Abdulmalik Namoda, the group described the governor’s decision to head to Kaura Namoda for a PDP rally as “a slap in the face of every suffering soul in Zamfara State”.
“Barely weeks ago, he turned his back on the very people he now claims to represent,” the statement read.
On 28 July 2025, more than 38 men, women and children were killed in cold blood by armed bandits in Kaura Namoda Local Government. The attack came just a day after the criminals had collected a ₦50 million ransom from the community.
H said ‘In the wake of the massacre, residents expected swift action, condolences, and a personal visit from their governor. Instead, Lawal travelled to London with more than 60 aides to attend his son’s graduation ceremony.
“While villagers buried their dead, counted their losses and fled their homes, the governor was photographed smiling at events abroad. No official visit was made to the affected communities, no delegation was sent, and no clear plan was announced to address the crisis.”
He explained that Kaura Namoda has long faced a worsening security situation. Entire communities have been displaced, farmlands destroyed and homes burned.
” In Jimrawa village, residents fled after bandits razed their homes. Displaced villagers marched to Gusau seeking help, where they were assured of swift action by the governor’s spokesperson, Mustafa Jafaru Kaura.”
According to the CSOs, those promises never materialised. When villagers returned to protest their neglect, they were allegedly met not with security reinforcements, but with hired thugs who broke up their demonstration.
“Now, the governor’s planned return to Kaura Namoda — this time to seek votes — has fuelled anger among locals and rights advocates.
“The people must ask themselves: what kind of leader abandons his people at their moment of greatest need, only to return for votes?” the CSOs said.