By Imam Murtadha Gusau
Thursday, Octorber 1st, 2026
In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful
Praise be to Allah Almighty, the Giver of Peace, As-Salam, who preserves human life and commands justice. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is His servant and final Messenger.
Dear brothers and sisters! Today, October 1, 2026, Zamfara State marks its 30th anniversary, transitioning through three decades of immense history, resilience, sacrifice, and collective aspirations. Carved out of the old Sokoto State on October 1, 1996, Zamfara—long heralded under the proud banner “Farming is Our Pride”—stands today at a vital crossroads. While we celebrate thirty years of identity and institution-building, our hearts remain heavy with the devastating impact of armed banditry (Hirabah) and insecurity that has tested the Iman, lives, and livelihoods of our people!
Respected brothers and sisters! Peace and security are among the greatest blessings Allah bestows upon a nation. Without security, our children cannot learn, our farmers cannot tilt the fertile soil of Zamfara state, and our Ibadah (worship) is disrupted.
In Islamic jurisprudence, armed banditry, kidnapping, and terrorising innocent communities fall under the severe sin of Hirabah, waging war against society and the laws of Allah. Allah commands in the noble Qur’an:
“The recompense of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and do mischief in the land is only that they shall be killed or crucified or their hands and their feet be cut off from opposite sides, or be exiled from the land.” [Qur’an, 5:33]
The great people of Zamfara state! Know that, the trial we face requires us to collectively turn back to our Creator, Allah. A true and genuine repentance from all layers of society—leaders and citizens alike—fast-tracks divine mercy and relief.
For thirty years, we have lived together as brothers and sisters. We must reject the forces of division and fear. Let us protect one another, share intelligence with those safeguarding our lives, and stand firmly as a unified wall against perpetrators of violence.
The great citizens of Zamfara state! Do not lose hope. Join the thousands of Ulama, elders, and children across the state who are lifting their hands to the heavens. Allah answers the prayer of the oppressed and the sincere.
And remember, thirty years ago, when the announcement echoed across Nigeria that Zamfara State had been born, the streets of Anka, Bakura, Birnin Magaji, Bukkuyum, Bungudu, Gummi, Gusau, Kaura Namoda, Maradun, Maru, Shinkafi, Talata Mafara, Tsafe, Zurmi and all their villages erupted with joy. Our founding fathers envisioned a self-sustaining agricultural giant, a land built on the legacy of the ancient Zamfara Kingdom and the deep spiritual heritage of the Sokoto Caliphate.
For years, our markets bustled, and our gold-rich earth promised prosperity. But a shadow crept over our fields. The peaceful mornings were broken by the smoke of remote villages under attack, our schools were targeted, and our farmers faced blocks on their own soil.
Yet, Zamfara state has not broken. Thirty years has not just been a measure of time; it is a testament to an unbreakable resilience. When the armed bandits brought fear, the people of Zamfara state brought prayers. When the communities were isolated, their Iman and faith stayed deeply anchored. At 30, Zamfara state is ready to be reborn. The inaugural flights, the infrastructural renewals, and the conferences demanding structural solutions all tell a story of a people refusing to let evil write their final chapter.
Respected people of Zamfara state! Remember, a true development cannot exist without peace. As Zamfara State reaches its 30-year milestone, the most critical project before us is not built of cement and iron—it is the restoration of security and human dignity.
We must move past the years of helplessness. To defeat armed banditry, we need a unified approach that combines relentless spiritual invocation with decisive, strategic action. Our political leadership, traditional institutions, and religious organisations must work together tightly.
Zamfararians! Let us use this 30th anniversary to look forward. Let us empower our youth so they are not driven into the hands of criminality, and let us hold our heads high, knowing that the dark cloud over the Northwest will dissipate under the light of justice and persistent Iman and faith.
Once again, Zamfara State was officially created on October 1, 1996, by the military administration of the late General Sani Abacha. The formal creation of the state marked the culmination of a protracted, decades-long movement led by a committee of prominent elders, traditional rulers, and intellectuals from the old Sokoto Province who relentlessly agitated for self-determination and local autonomy.
We cannot forget our respected elders, who struggled and participated in the creation of our dear state. Peaple like: Alhaji Abubakar Tunau Mafara (Kayayen Sardauna), Malam Yahaya Gusau, Alhaji Malami Buwai, Engr. Abdu Gusau, Alhaji Ibrahim Birnin Tsaba, Alhaji Sani Abdullahi Tsafe, Alhaji Mamman Nakwada (Baturen Gona), Alhaji Ahmed Nahuche, General Aliyu Muhammed Gusau, General Sani Abacha, Colonel Jibril Bala Yakubu, Alhaji Idris Samaho, Alhaji MZ Anka and Senator Dr. Sa’idu Dansadau.
And also the past and present leaders like: Col. Jibril Bala Yakubu (Military Administrator, 1996–1999), Senator Ahmad Sani Yariman Bakura (Civilian Governor, 1999–2007), Alhaji Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi (Civilian Governor, 2007–2011), Senator Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar (Civilian Governor, 2011–2019), Hon. Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle (Civilian Governor, 2019–2023) and the current Governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Dauda Lawal Dare, who took office in 2023.
And many political actors in the state, like: Dr. Abdulmalik Zubairu, Zannan Bungudu, Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura, Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis, Kabir Garba Marafa, Former Senator representing Zamfara Central, Mahdi Aliyu Gusau, Former Deputy Governor of Zamfara State (2019–2022), Malam Ibrahim Wakkala, Former Deputy Governor of the state. Rep. Kabiru Amadu Mai Palace, Rep. Dr. Aminu Sanin Jaji and many more.
May Almighty Allah reward them all for their contribution to the development of Zamfara state.
Let us all join hand and pray for our dear, beloved sate:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all the Worlds.
Ya Allah, As-Salam, The Source of Peace, We bring our heavy hearts before You on this 30th milestone of our beloved, dear Zamfara State. We ask You to rain down peace, tranquility, safety, and comfort upon our cities, our villages, our schools, and our highways.
Ya Allah, Al-Muhaimin, The Protector, Expose and dismantle all the networks of armed bandits, kidnappers, and those who cause corruption and criminality on our land. Turn their hearts to repentance, or strip them of their power to harm the innocent. Strengthen our security forces, shield them from danger, and grant them total victory over the forces of terror.
Ya Allah, Al-Jami’, The Uniter, Bind the hearts of the people of Zamfara state together. Remove any tribal or political divisions, and let us stand as one Ummah under Your grace. Guide all our leaders, including our present Governor, Dr. Dauda Lawal Dare, with the wisdom, sincerity, and courage required to steer this state into a secure and prosperous future.
Ya Allah, heal our wounds, restore our economy, and let farming and joy thrive once again on our soil. Amin Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum!
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May the peace, blessings and salutations of Allah be upon our noble Messenger, Muhammad, and upon his family, his Companions and his true followers.
Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’ah and the late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene’s Mosques, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com or +2348038289761 or +2348024192217.