Just In: Trump, UK Government Told To Issue Travel Ban on Top Nigerian Governor

• A civil society organisation, CCN, has petitioned US, UK to impose a travel ban and asset freeze on Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal
• Group accused Lawal of complicity, citing his own admissions of knowing bandits’ identities yet failing to act
• CCN urged global action, asking the US, UK, EU, and Commonwealth to deny him entry, freeze assets, and send a strong message against leaders linked to terror

The Concerned Citizens of Nigeria (CCN) has petitioned the US and UK governments to slam a travel ban on Zamfara state Governor, Dauda Lawal.

The group said the reason for the call boils down to what it described as his failure to end terrorism and banditry in the state.

Recall that Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara state declared that he could end banditry in the state within two months. The governor said this can only happen if given full control over security agencies.

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In a petition dated 16 September 2025, signed by Dr Emmanuel Agabi, Executive Secretary of CCN, the group alleged that Governor Lawal’s inability to act, despite claims of having intelligence on bandits and terrorists, amounted to “incompetence and complicity.”

Petition demands resignation and asset freeze

The petition cited by Legit.ng on Wednesday, September 17, urged both the US and UK governments not only to deny the governor entry into their territories but also to freeze all assets linked to him.

“If he has an iota of shame in him and he is truly powerless as he claims, then honour should have compelled him to resign,” Dr Agabi said.

Call for international consistency on terrorism

The CCN argued that sanctioning Governor Lawal would be in line with international precedents where leaders complicit in terrorism were penalised.

"Not acting on Dauda Lawal would send a message around the world that the lives of Nigerian citizens are cheaper, and that their suffering is negotiable,” the petition read.

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Group presses for wider international cooperation

The organisation further called for collaboration with European Union allies and the Commonwealth to extend restrictions, saying democratic societies must not harbour leaders with alleged links to terrorism.

“Silence in this matter would be complicity. It would embolden other leaders to treat terrorism as a bargaining chip in political machinations,” Dr Agabi stated.

The petition accused the governor of admitting he knew the identities and locations of bandits but failed to act.

Appeal for justice for victims

Dr Agabi concluded by urging swift action to send a message to leaders worldwide.

Zamfara gov gets ultimatum to reveal location of bandits

Previously, Legit.ng reported that governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara state has been issued a seven-day ultimatum to disclose the locations of bandits and other criminal gangs operating across the state.

The Coalition of Citizens Against Banditry and Insecurity in Nigeria (CABIN) warned that failure to act within the deadline would trigger mass protests and pressure.

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The group also warned that it will pressure the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara. CABIN president, Comrade Solomon Charles Abutu, reacted to Governor Dauda’s recent comments acknowledging bandits’ whereabouts.

Source: Legit.ng