The Zamfara State government has strongly denied circulating documents alleging that it had paid large sums of money to bandit leaders for dialogue and reconciliation.
The Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Nakwada, described the documents as fabricated and aimed at misleading the public.
According to The PUNCH, Nakwada emphasized that the documents, purportedly bearing his signature and those of other senior government officials, were forged. He also revealed that the state’s security agencies had been alerted and are working to track down the source of the false information.
“The documents are not only fake but also malicious and misleading. They were designed to create confusion and mistrust,” Nakwada said.
He refuted claims that funds from the state’s Security Trust Fund had been allocated to media figures under the guise of reconciliation efforts with bandits.
“It is important to clarify this issue immediately, given the sensitive nature of security matters in the state,” he continued. “Ordinarily, we would have ignored such baseless allegations, but because of the significance of security in our agenda, we are compelled to respond.”
Nakwada stated that the memo alleged to have originated from his office and directed to Governor Dauda Lawal was entirely fake. He stressed that the administration remains firmly against negotiating with bandits and terrorists.
“The state government has repeatedly stated its refusal to engage in negotiations with terrorists, and that position remains unchanged,” he affirmed.
He also reiterated that the government’s efforts to combat insecurity are driven by integrity, accountability, and a deep commitment to the safety of Zamfara’s residents. Nakwada concluded by saying the fake documents were not only an attempt to mislead the public but also a deliberate effort to undermine the administration’s ongoing efforts to restore peace in the state.
“These fabrications are nothing more than a distraction, and they seek to damage the trust that the people of Zamfara have in Governor Lawal’s commitment to restoring peace and order,” he added.
