Banditry: Investigate Zamfara leaked memo, Ohanaeze youths urge ONSA

Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, on Friday, called on the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to conduct an extensive investigation into a leaked memo, which was alleged to have emanated from the Zamfara State Government.

In the leaked memo, which has been a subject of controversy, approval was said to have been made for high-profile bandits as well as some influential personalities.

Appearing during a TVC programme on Wednesday night, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State described the memo as forged.

He added that it was subjected to analysis and traced to certain unnamed individuals who he said would face legal consequences for the alleged forgery.

However, addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, said the memo bothered on national security and should not be swept under the carpet.

Okwu chided Governor Lawal over what he called ceaseless attacks on the Minister of State for Defence, Hon. Bello Matawalle, instead of facing the real issues on the ground.

He said it was regrettable that the governor had failed to focus on governance after over one year in office.

Okwu, who said Lawal had shown a lack of capacity to govern the state, stated that it was unacceptable that the governor had not made any mark in office one year after.

He said, “Ordinarily, we would not have disturbed ourselves with Zamfara State politics, but our concern is to the extent of its implications on national security.

“Nigerians are all witnesses to a certain memo that has been in circulation for days now, which was alleged to have emanated from the Zamfara State Government.

“We also watched the governor’s defense when he appeared on the TVC programme and we came to the conclusion that the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, should take up the investigation of that memo.

“It is not something that should just be swept under the carpet. The document must be critically probed and adequate action taken.”

While advising Lawal to focus on governance, Okwu added that, “The only accolade the governor has won is the ‘complainant of the year.’

“For about 16 months in office, all he has done is to criticise his predecessor, leaving the job he was elected to do. He has proven to be an accidental governor, someone who was never prepared for governance.

“It is no longer acceptable for people to be elected into office, and instead of doing the work they are elected to do, all they do is criticise and attack their predecessors.

“Governor Dauda Lawal has not recorded one tangible achievement in office after 16 months; rather, he has been hiding under the cover of blame to justify his ineptitude.

“We say that if the governor, having shown a lack of capacity, should honourably step aside and allow a more capable person to govern Zamfara State.

“This is a governor elected to govern Zamfara State, but he is always cruising around Abuja and other major cities, leaving the people at the mercy of criminals.”

The Ohanaeze youth president, who hailed the Nigerian Army for the feats recorded so far in the fight against banditry and terrorism, noted that “the current developments show that there is indeed hope for Nigerians.

“We once more commend the NSA, the Service Chiefs, and the Defence Chiefs for their renewed vigour, which is responsible for the feats achieved in the last few days.

“We urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be cautious of those who want to derail the gains made so far in the fight against insecurity in the country.”