The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, in Zamfara State has raised the alarm over the reported planting of an Improvised Explosive Device, IED, by suspected bandits along the Gurusu-Gwashi Road in Bukkuyum Local Government Area.
The party described the development as a dangerous escalation of insecurity in the state and urged the Federal Government and security agencies to act immediately.
In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Alkasimu Mustapha Kayatawa, the NDC warned that the use of IEDs on public roads could expose motorists, farmers, traders, commuters and security personnel to greater danger.
It questioned why the huge security deployment witnessed during the recent Osun governorship election could not be replicated in Zamfara and other areas battling persistent attacks.
The party said about 30 Commissioners of Police and thousands of security personnel were reportedly mobilised for the Osun election, while communities in Zamfara continued to face attacks by armed groups.
‘Elections are important to democracy, but the protection of human life is the first responsibility of government,’ the NDC said.
‘The people of Zamfara should not be made to feel that securing ballot boxes attracts greater national urgency than securing their lives, homes, farms and highways.’
The party called for an immediate review of security operations in Bukkuyum and other vulnerable parts of the state.
It demanded stronger intelligence gathering, improved explosive-ordnance capabilities, sustained patrols and increased security presence along major roads and communities.
The NDC also urged security agencies to reinforce operations along the Gurusu-Gwashi corridor and prevent criminal groups from making the use of explosive devices a regular weapon against civilians.
It called on the Zamfara State Government to deepen cooperation with federal security agencies and strengthen community-based intelligence gathering.
‘Zamfara has buried too many innocent citizens. Too many families have paid ransoms. Too many communities have been displaced. Our roads must not now become minefields,’ the party said.
The NDC insisted that residents of Zamfara deserved the same level of manpower, urgency and national attention deployed to secure elections across the country.