A civil society organisation, Concerned Citizens of Nigeria (CCN), has petitioned the governments of the United States and the United Kingdom, urging them to impose a travel ban and freeze assets linked to Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, over what it described as his “failure to end terrorism and banditry” in the state.

 

In petitions dated September 16, 2025, and signed by CCN’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Agabi, the group accused Governor Lawal of gross incompetence and complicity in the lingering bloodshed in Zamfara. The CSO alleged that, despite publicly claiming to know the locations and identities of terrorists and their leaders, the governor has failed to take decisive action to curb the violence.

 

“If he (Governor Lawal) has an iota of shame in him and he is truly powerless as he claims, then honour should have compelled him to resign. Of what relevance is a leader whose performance is defined by absolute incompetence?” the petition read.

 

CCN called on Washington and London to declare the governor persona non grata, deny him entry into both countries and freeze all assets traceable to him or his associates. The group further urged the European Union and the Commonwealth to adopt similar sanctions, stressing that such measures would send a strong signal that democratic nations will not accommodate leaders who allegedly collude with or protect terrorists.

 

The petition warned that inaction by the US and UK would embolden other political leaders to treat terrorism as a bargaining chip.

 

“Your Excellency, silence in this matter would be complicity. It would suggest that America, the land of liberty, can overlook confessions of collusion with murderers… His confession is a crime against humanity,” CCN argued.

 

The organisation maintained that the proposed sanctions would not amount to interference in Nigeria’s sovereignty, but rather represent the sovereign right of other nations to determine who is welcome within their borders.

 

The group concluded by appealing to the international community to act in solidarity with the victims of violence in Zamfara, noting:

 

“For the widows of Zamfara, for the orphans currently scattered throughout refugee camps, for the moral integrity of the United States, and for the honour of democracy, we urge you to act. Let Dauda Lawal be declared persona non grata. Let the free world shut its doors on him. Let his name stand as a warning and a lesson to others who may want to follow suit.”

 

As of press time, Governor Lawal has yet to respond to the allegations and calls for international sanctions.