Zamfara Spends N1Billion on Cemeteries as Bandit Killings Keep Rising

 In a chilling reflection of ongoing insecurity, the Zamfara State Government has allocated N1 billion to construct cemeteries across 14 local government areas, SaharaReporters reports. The provision, part of the 2026 fiscal budget under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, comes as violent bandit attacks continue to devastate communities statewide.

Recent incidents underline the grim reality: on Wednesday, bandits ambushed residents of Kyaram community returning from Maga Market in Bukkuyyum LGA, killing at least five people, with several more missing. Earlier, terrorists reportedly burned four villagers alive in Gwargwaba village, Bungudu LGA.

The spate of violence has sparked outrage across the state. Last year, residents of over 30 communities in Gusau LGA protested, decrying relentless attacks that reportedly claimed up to 100 lives daily in some areas, disrupted farming, and destroyed food supplies.

Critics have also questioned the state’s budget priorities. While N1 billion is earmarked for cemeteries, past spending revealed the government had spent over N13 billion between January and October 2024 on vehicles, with another N2.5 billion set aside in 2025 for additional fleet purchases.

The cemetery allocation highlights the stark reality for Zamfara residents: as insecurity persists, the government appears to be preparing for more deaths rather than addressing the root causes of banditry.

SOURCE : NaijaRush Assignment Desk