Hundreds of protesters from Zamfara State, primarily women and young people, gathered outside the Department of Security Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
The group expressed deep frustration over escalating violence and insecurity back home, holding Defence Minister and former Zamfara governor Bello Matawalle responsible.
They accuse Matawalle of ties with local bandits during his time as governor, which they claim have led to the worsening conditions now faced in Zamfara.
Arriving in a convoy of around 12 buses, the protesters were prevented from entering the DSS premises. Displaying signs reading “We are dying” and “DSS, save us from bandits,” they pleaded with DSS Director General Adeola Ajayi to take urgent action against the insecurity plaguing Zamfara.
Mallam Musa Mahmud, the leader of the demonstrators and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Akida Forum, voiced disappointment that President Bola Tinubu has not yet dismissed Matawalle from his ministerial position, despite reported evidence of his alleged ties with bandit groups.
Mahmud told PUNCH, “The issues here are not just political problems. They are matters of life and death, economic survival, and the fundamental human rights of the citizens of Zamfara State that should not be handled lightly.”
The protest follows a call from the state APC chapter, urging the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara. This action, they believe, would allow for a stronger response to the persistent violence.
Mahmud urged the DSS to investigate Matawalle thoroughly, emphasizing the importance of protecting Nigerian citizens. He pointed out individuals allegedly linked to banditry in the region, whom he believes Matawalle should explain his connections with. “These are not abstract concerns,” Mahmud stated, adding that Zamfara residents deserve security and a life free from constant threat.
