Reps demand immediate action over Zamfara killings, N100m levy on farmers

By Gift ChapiOdekina, Abuja

The House of Representatives on Tuesday called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently adopt a new security strategy to halt the escalating killings and criminal activities in Zamfara State.

The House also directed the Minister of Defence and the Service Chiefs to launch a massive and coordinated operation to neutralize bandits and take all necessary steps to restore security in affected communities.

Additionally, the Committees on Defence, Army, Navy, Air Force, National Security and Legislative Compliance were mandated to ensure strict implementation of the resolutions.

The resolutions followed a motion of urgent public importance detailing how armed bandits invaded Keta, Bilbis, Kwaren Ganuwa, Danjiga and surrounding communities, killing more than 10 people and kidnapping at least 130 residents. The bandits were also reported to have imposed a N100 million levy on already distressed communities.

Leading the debate, the sponsor of the motion, Rep. Kabiru Amadu, informed the House that the attacks were carried out by heavily armed groups operating freely on motorcycles—two to three men per bike—moving from one community to another for up to three weeks without any confrontation from security agencies.

He said the violence extended beyond Tsafe, citing findings which revealed further killings in Ruwan Dawa under Magami Ward, where 17 people were murdered and agricultural produce looted. Other attacks included 14 deaths in Tofa, 18 in Ungwar Malami and Gidan Maza, eight in Sabon Gida, and 11 farmers killed in Zonai.

Amadu expressed concern that the N100 million levy was “unjust and unattainable,” especially for rural dwellers whose livelihoods—mostly small-scale farming and petty trading—have been crippled by repeated attacks.

He lamented that the reported killings represented only a small portion of the numerous incidents recorded within one month in his constituency.

“This crisis has created a dire humanitarian situation, with residents lacking access to food, healthcare, and security. Fear prevails as communities live under constant threat of further attacks and ransom demands,” he said.

The motion was unanimously adopted by the House.

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