The Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC) has released a statement urging the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara State, citing escalating violence and widespread insecurity. In their press release, the organization described Zamfara as experiencing a “tipping point” where “entire communities are under siege” and “criminal gangs operate with impunity.”
The NDYC explicitly compared the situation to recent federal intervention in Rivers State, arguing that similar decisive action is warranted in Zamfara. Their statement characterized the Rivers State intervention as a response to “political disagreement and internal party issues,” while portraying Zamfara’s crisis as “existential” rather than merely political, with significant incidents including the kidnapping of over 50 people in Maradun Local Government Area and the ransacking of villages.
The organization highlighted the resignation of former Inspector General of Police MD Abubakar from Zamfara’s Security Trust Fund as evidence of governance failure. They also pointed to what they described as political dysfunction within the Zamfara State House of Assembly, drawing further parallels to the situation in Rivers State.
The NDYC framed their demand as a matter of equitable governance, stating that “the unity of Nigeria is built on equity, justice, and consistency.” The statement warned that failing to apply similar standards across regions would be interpreted as selective justice. The press release was signed by Israel Uwejeyan, National Coordinator of the Niger Delta Youth Congress.