Zamfara lawmakers on suspension leave the state, citing a threat to their lives.

 Reports indicate that eight legislators who were suspended by the Zamfara State House of Assembly were driven into hiding, citing intimidation by political thugs and unjustified searches by security personnel.

The lawmakers, who have been outspoken opponents of the growing level of insecurity in Zamfara, revealed these facts on Sunday at a news conference in Zaria, Kaduna State.

Speaking on behalf of the suspended members, Bashir Aliyu expressed his unease about the state's worsening security situation as well as the political reaction they have encountered for being vocal.


Representative Aliyu of the Gumi 1 district explained how their legislative effort to bring attention to the Speaker and his deputy's absences was mainly focused on how they thought this was contributing to governance shortcomings in the assembly Zamfara.

But the action appeared to have backfired, setting off a chain of retaliations against the MPs that culminated on February 24 in the form of assaults by thugs purportedly connected to a well-known state senator.

What makes things even more difficult for the members who are suspended is a March 7 letter that requires them to return their official vehicles to the State Assembly Clerk within a certain amount of time.

What the MPs see as an attempt to punish and quiet them for their criticisms of the state's handling of security-related matters is furthered by this decree.

Nine lawmakers have been suspended: Amiru Keta (PDP-Tsafe West), Nasiru Abdullahi (PDP-Maru South), Bashir Masama (PDP-Bukkuyum North), Faruku Dosara (APC-Maradun 1), Ibrahim Bashiru Sarkin-Zango (PDP-Bungudu West); Shamsudeen Hassan (APC Talata-Mafara North); and Tukur (APC-Bakura Constituency).