Jul 24, 2026

Rights Group Slams Tinubu’s Silence as Bandits Slaughter 23 Farmers in Zamfara

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in news

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Abuja, Nigeria- July 24, 2026 - In a scathing rebuke of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, the Centre for Human Rights and Social Advancement (CEFSAN) has condemned the Nigerian leader’s apparent silence following the brutal killing of at least 23 farmers by suspected bandits in Zamfara State.

The attack, which occurred on Tuesday, July 22, 2026, in the Sauna Ruwan Gora Ward of Talata Mafara Local Government Area, has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s already beleaguered rural communities.

Gunmen reportedly opened fire on defenseless farmers working their fields in broad daylight, leaving dozens injured and families shattered.

Some reports indicate the death toll could be as high as 25, with mass burials held amid widespread grief.

“Constitutional Failure” – CEFSAN’s Strong Words

In a strongly worded statement issued on Friday by its Executive Director, Yusha’u Sani Yankuzo, CEFSAN accused the Tinubu government of failing in its primary constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property.

“This latest massacre is yet another tragic indication that the security strategy adopted to address insecurity in Zamfara State has failed to provide effective protection for vulnerable communities,” the group said.

The rights organization highlighted that the incident took place just 16 kilometers from Talata Mafara town—a stark reminder that even areas near administrative centers remain unsafe despite repeated military operations and government assurances.

Zamfara, an APC-controlled state, has long been a hotspot for banditry, but critics argue the crisis has deepened under the current federal administration.

CEFSAN invoked Section 14(2)(b) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which declares the security and welfare of the people as the primary purpose of government.

The group called on President Tinubu to immediately declare a state of emergency on insecurity in Zamfara and other violence-plagued states, moving beyond “rhetoric” to decisive action.

Broader Crisis: Persistent Violence Across Nigeria

The Zamfara attack is not an isolated event. CEFSAN noted that similar killings continue unabated in states including Katsina, Plateau, Benue, Niger, and Kaduna, pointing to what it described as a systemic failure of Nigeria’s security architecture.

The group expressed concern that political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections appear to be overshadowing urgent security needs.

It demanded a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s security strategy, including better intelligence gathering, improved inter-agency collaboration, accountability for security operatives, and stronger action against terrorist and bandit networks.

CEFSAN also urged the National Assembly to step up oversight, while calling on civil society, traditional rulers, religious leaders, the media, and the international community to amplify attention on the humanitarian crisis unfolding in rural Nigeria.

Calls for Justice and Protection

Expressing solidarity with the grieving families, the rights group demanded a thorough investigation, justice for the victims, and immediate steps to prevent further bloodshed.

“Enough is enough,” the statement concluded. “The security and welfare of Nigerians must be treated as the foremost responsibility of government, as expressly provided under the Nigerian Constitution.”

As of the time of this report, there has been no official statement from the Presidency regarding the Zamfara massacre.

The incident comes amid ongoing national conversations about the effectiveness of the government’s approach to banditry and farmer-herder conflicts in the Northwest.