Northern group to drag Zamfara governor before ICC over banditry

A northern advocacy body, the Northern Intelligentsia Network, on Saturday threatened to petition the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague against Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, over his alleged failure to rein in banditry in the state.

The group accused the governor of complicity in the worsening security situation, saying his “deliberate inaction” amounts to aiding and abetting the atrocities being perpetrated against innocent civilians.

In a statement by its President, Dr. Aminu Shehu, the group urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene in Zamfara, warning that the state is fast sliding into a “killing field” and that the crisis, if unchecked, could destabilise the entire North-West.

“Governor Dauda Lawal has publicly admitted knowing the hideouts of these bandits, yet he appears reluctant to act or provide actionable intelligence to security agencies. Instead, he keeps making excuses about not having control over the police. At a time when communities are being ravaged, withholding such critical intelligence is not just negligence—it is complicity,” the group said.

It alleged that Lawal’s posture violates his constitutional responsibility to safeguard lives and property, as well as international humanitarian law.

Quoting reports from Maradun, Anka, Shinkafi and Tsafe Local Government Areas, the group cited cases of rape, child mutilation, mass abductions, and the burning of entire villages.

“These are not isolated incidents. They are systematic and targeted assaults on vulnerable populations. Under Article 7 of the Rome Statute, a leader who knowingly permits such sustained attacks shares responsibility for crimes against humanity,” Shehu said.

The group disclosed that it is already assembling a legal team comprising Nigerian and international lawyers to lodge a formal petition before the ICC, complete with evidence, victim testimonies, and reports from humanitarian organisations.

“Under the principle of command responsibility, leaders who enable or fail to prevent atrocities must be held accountable. Silence in the face of bloodshed is no longer an option,” it declared.

The group also urged civil society, religious leaders, and the international community to support victims of banditry in Zamfara.

“We cannot remain silent in the face of this slow genocide. International law is clear: leaders who enable or tolerate atrocities must be held to account,” the statement added.