A group of concerned Zamfara elders has accused Governor Dauda Lawal of making misleading claims about offering free medical treatment for injured victims of bandits attacks.
The elders, in a statement by its spokesperson, Hon Aliyu Muhammad Gummi, challenged the governor to present solid evidence of victims receiving treatment at state hospitals without payment as recently asserted in an interview.
Gummi described the governor’s comments as “the highest level of insincerity,” stressing that the governor has failed to honour his 2023 campaign promises.
The governor had promised to eradicate banditry within two months of taking office, but the group argued that the security situation has only deteriorated in the state.
“The governor is nearing his two-year anniversary in office built on a foundation of unfulfilled promises,” Gummi remarked. “Instead of offering support to the victims, he seems to be travelling across states and countries, enjoying life while the people continue to suffer.”
The elders were particularly concerned about the governor’s assertion that victims of gunshot wounds were receiving free treatment at Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital and the Federal Medical Centre in Gusau.
Gummi noted that during his recent visit to the Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, he witnessed victims being turned away due to financial constraints — in some unfortunate cases, leading to tragic outcomes.
“No support has come from the government. The victims are left to fend for themselves,” he stated.
The elders urged journalists who interviewed the governor to verify his claims, especially concerning the availability of treatment for victims from remote areas such as Tsafe local government.
They also called on the state government or the mentioned hospitals to publish a comprehensive list of beneficiaries, including names, villages, and details of incidents, along with receipts or payment vouchers as proof.
“Zamfara people are not fools. The governor must apologise for misleading the public, put an end to the propaganda, and work alongside genuine stakeholders to tackle the issue of insecurity,” Gummi concluded.