Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has declared that the menace of banditry ravaging the state would be crushed within two months if governors were granted direct control over security agencies.
Lawal, in a viral video on Wednesday, lamented that although he is designated as chief security officer of the state, security operatives in Zamfara take directives only from Abuja. This, he argued, has undermined efforts to end the bloodshed.
“I swear to Almighty Allah, wherever a bandit leader is located in Zamfara State, I know it. With my phone, I can show you their locations today. But we cannot act because we don’t have the power,” he said.
The governor, who recalled instances where troops ignored distress alerts— including an attack in Shinkafi Local Government— because clearance from Abuja was not given, stressed that such bureaucratic bottlenecks continue to embolden criminals.
Despite these hurdles, he noted that his administration has sustained logistical support to security agencies and bolstered manpower through the recruitment of thousands of Community Protection Guards and 2,000 hunters from Borno and Yobe states.
Lawal further pledged to tackle the root causes of the insurgency by providing basic amenities such as schools and potable water to communities.
“Most of the time, I shed tears for my people because I can see a problem but cannot order security operatives to act in time. We have entrusted everything to God and surely, He will come to our rescue,” he added, urging residents to remain patient and resilient.
