The parallel Zamfara House of Assembly has called on Governor Dauda Lawal to establish three Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps across the state.
The appeal was made on Tuesday following a motion moved by Hon. Ibrahim Tudu-Tukur (APC, Bakura Constituency) during the parallel assembly’s plenary session in Gusau.
The 10 suspended lawmakers held a separate sitting on Wednesday, resulting in the factionalisation of the assembly. One faction, consisting of 13 members and led by Speaker Bilyaminu Moriki (PDP, Zurmi South), is opposed by another faction of 10 members headed by Bashar Aliyu (PDP, Gummi I).
Tudu-Tukur said the motion became necessary due to the growing number of IDPs in Zamfara and the lack of humanitarian support from the state government.
He proposed that one IDP camp be set up in each of the state’s three senatorial districts to provide safety and reduce the vulnerability of displaced persons.
“I am therefore using this medium to call on this Assembly to urge the state government to, as a matter of urgency, establish three IDP camps across the state in order to save our people from a looming humanitarian crisis.
“As representatives of the people, we receive daily complaints on security challenges from our communities,” Tudu-Tukur said.
He also criticised Governor Lawal’s administration for allegedly failing to fulfill one of its major campaign promises — to end banditry in the state.
According to him, the state government’s neglect of the security sector has led to a worsening insecurity situation, leaving displaced persons to roam the streets in destitution.
“The state government has not been holding regular security meetings with heads of security agencies to tackle the crisis. Nor has it been open to engaging other stakeholders for alternative solutions,” he added.
Tudu-Tukur also noted that the proposed IDP camps would enable access to proper healthcare for displaced persons, provide education for their children, and allow the government to collect accurate data on the affected population.
In their separate contributions, Nasiru Abdullahi (PDP, Maru North), Mukhtaru Nasiru (PDP, Kaura Namoda North), and Bashir Bello Sarkin-Zango (PDP, Bungudu West) all voiced support for the motion.
After unanimous backing from the nine other members present, Speaker Bashir Aliyu-Gummi urged Governor Lawal to act promptly on the resolution.
The Speaker also condemned the alleged abandonment of Zamfara students studying in Cyprus, claiming they were being forced into exploitative labor and now face the threat of deportation due to unpaid tuition.
He called on human rights organizations, civil society groups, and the Federal Government to urgently intervene and save the stranded students.
