ABUJA, Nigeria — A member of the House of Representatives, Aminu Sani Jaji, has issued a passionate appeal for urgent action over what he described as an escalating humanitarian and security catastrophe unfolding in his Zamfara State constituency.
Addressing journalists at the National Assembly on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, Jaji painted a harrowing picture of banditry, mass abductions, and unchecked violence that he said has left communities in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area in ruins.
The lawmaker, who once chaired the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, said more than 200 attacks have occurred in the area, including in communities such as Dayo, Banga, Gabaki, Korea, and Madura.
“Just two days ago, 60 people were abducted in Banga. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of 30 million naira. Out of those abducted, 10 were killed, and the fate of the remaining 50 hangs in the balance,” Jaji told reporters.
In one of the most chilling revelations, the lawmaker recounted a brutal incident in which a pregnant woman abducted by bandits gave birth to twins in captivity, only for the infants to be fed to dogs by the leader of the gang.
He also described how a young boy with epilepsy was executed after suffering a seizure in front of his captors.
“These are not just stories. These are the everyday realities of our people,” he said.
“They cannot farm, they cannot trade, and many are internally displaced—unrecognised by both the state and federal governments.”
Jaji criticised the persistent inaction by federal authorities, saying that despite repeated engagements with the Ministry of Defence and other security stakeholders, no concrete steps have been taken to address the violence on the ground.
“We gave assurances that if our party came to power, insecurity would become history. Unfortunately, the reality today is different,” he said.
“Many communities are now ghost towns.”
Zamfara, once considered a bastion of religious harmony and social stability, has become a flashpoint of criminal activity in northern Nigeria.
Jaji recalled that the state had embraced Sharia law peacefully in the past and maintained peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians—conditions now replaced by fear and devastation.
“This is not about politics anymore. It’s about human lives,” Jaji said, invoking Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which stipulates that the primary responsibility of government is the security and welfare of the people.
The lawmaker also highlighted the political loyalty of Zamfara’s electorate, noting their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 general elections.
He appealed directly to the President, saying the people now expect protection in return for their faith in government.
“People cry to us for help. They come in tears. They are not moving because they know where to go; they are moving because they have no other choice,” he said.
Jaji called for a non-partisan, national response to the crisis, urging leaders of all political and religious affiliations to unite and confront what he described as a national emergency.
“We must rise above politics. We must respond as people of faith and conscience,” he said.
“If insecurity in Zamfara is left unchecked, it will spread and consume the entire nation.”
