by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
…Says, it’s foul-play by Zamfara Governor.
The North-Central Writers Advocacy Group (NCWAG) – a Nigerian civic accountability and advocacy collective – has expresses profound shock, alarm, and condemnation over recent widely-circulated media reports alleging that Zamfara State Government, under Governor Dauda Lawal, has secretly released a large number of convicted terrorists and bandits from Correctional facilities within the state.
A statement to this regard was signed and issued to our Correspondent by Irimiya Dunat, of the North Central Writers Advocacy Group (NCWAG).
According to the published reports in national paper and online media, and also the Human Rights Writers Association, a total of 291 Boko Haram members and 219 armed bandits were allegedly freed under circumstances yet to be explained to the Nigerian people.
The statement averred that, “These individuals, as reported, were not awaiting trial; they were convicted criminals whose offenses include terrorism, mass violence, kidnapping, destruction of communities, and other acts that have destabilized the North-West and the entire federation for over a decade.”
According to them, if these reports are true, they represent one of the most disturbing breaches of public trust and national security in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.
Mr. Dunat further pointed out that, “This is a Danger to National Stability, while
NCWAG notes with deep concern that Nigeria is currently battling with unprecedented multi-layered security challenges.”
He stressed that, “The rising spread of banditry into new regions – including the recent unsettling emergence of criminal cells in Enugu State and parts of the South-East – has placed the nation on high alert.
“The alleged release of hardened terrorists without public accountability or judicial transparency threatens to worsen these national crises – a unilateral decision by any State Governor to free such individuals, without federal security, under what legal framework, such pardons or releases were granted.
“Given the gravity of the allegations, NCWAG calls on the Presidency for clearance
Or, public oversight, to be constituted,” it stated.
According to him, “This is a dangerous precedent capable of undermining the rule of law across the federation. Nigeria cannot afford an environment where a single State Executive is acting without due process.”
They also questioned the Legality, Rationale, and Ethics of the Alleged Action, and called on Federal Government to intervene immediately.
The Writers Advocacy equally called on the National Security Adviser (NSA) to provide a full, public, and verifiable explanation of, whether the victims’ families law enforcement bodies, the judiciary, or the Federal and the National Security Council why individuals convicted of terrorism were considered eligible.
Mr Dunat disclosed that, the Concerned Writers demand to know, if the Governor of Zamfara State, Governor Dauda Lawal, can release individuals, who are responsible for mass killings, displacement, and destruction. He noted that, “This violation of the principles of justice is a national security threat.”