Northern forum criticizes Zamfara for reversing stance on banditry

A group called the Northern Security and Integrity Forum attacked Zamfara State leaders for changing their mind about fighting bandits. The forum said Governor Dauda Lawal made a complete flip after years of criticizing peace talks with armed groups. Dr Sulaiman Ali Mustapha leads the forum and thinks the current governor wasted time and lives with his stubborn approach.

Lawal had spent years calling former Governor Bello Matawalle weak for trying to make deals with criminals. The new governor said those peace meetings were wrong and would never work against violent groups. More than 20,000 regular people and 500 security officers died during recent fighting across the region.

Recent videos show wanted bandit leader Ado Aleru talking freely at government meetings in both Katsina and Zamfara states. The forum called these gatherings shameful surrenders rather than real peace efforts. They believe Lawal owes everyone a major apology for his failed policies.

The group thinks Matawalle deserves praise for understanding that military action alone cannot stop the violence. They say the former governor tried talking with community leaders and armed groups because pure fighting had failed completely. Combat operations need support from local negotiations to create lasting peace across troubled areas.