The North‑Central Writers Advocacy Group (NCWAG), a Nigerian civic accountability and advocacy collective, said it is “profoundly shocked, alarmed, and condemning” after media reports claimed the Zamfara State Government, under Governor Dauda Lawal, secretly freed a large number of convicted terrorists and bandits from state correctional facilities.

In a press statement released to Daily Champion in Jos on Saturday and signed by Irimiya Dunat, Coordinator of NCWAG, the group said:

“According to published reports, a total of 291 Boko Haram members and 219 armed bandits were allegedly freed under circumstances that have not been explained to the Nigerian public.”

The statement added that those released “were not awaiting trial; they were convicted criminals whose offenses include terrorism, mass violence, kidnapping, destruction of communities, and other acts that have destabilised the North‑West and the entire federation for over a decade.”

“If the reports are true, NCWAG says the action represents one of the most disturbing breaches of public trust and national security in Nigeria’s fourth republic,” the release noted.

NCWAG warned that Nigeria is currently battling “unprecedented multilayered security challenges.” The alleged release of hardened terrorists without public accountability or judicial transparency “threatens to worsen this national crisis.”

The group listed further concerns about the release, including:

“A national security threat, disregard for victims and survivors of terrorism, violation of the principles of justice.”

It added that the release is “a dangerous precedent capable of undermining the rule of law across the federation.”

Questioning the legality and rationale behind the releases, NCWAG demanded that Governor Lawal provide a full, public, and verifiable explanation, asking:

“Under what legal framework such pardons or releases were granted?”

“Why individuals convicted of terrorism were considered eligible?”

“How does the decision align with national security protocols?”

“Were victims’ families, law enforcement bodies, the judiciary, or the Federal Government notified or involved?”

The group also called on the Presidency, the National Security Adviser (NSA), the National Security Council, the Ministry of Interior, and the Office of the Attorney‑General of the Federation to urgently investigate the matter and give Nigerians a clear national‑security briefing.

In a seven‑day ultimatum, NCWAG demanded that the Zamfara State Government:

- publicly address the allegations;
- provide documentary evidence of the identities of all persons released;
- disclose the legal basis for their release; and
- clarify whether any negotiations, political agreements, or election‑related considerations were involved.

To date, no rebuttal or clarification has been issued by Governor Dauda Lawal or any official spokesperson of the Zamfara State Government.