Lawal
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Dauda Lawal, the Zamfara State Governor has expressed frustration over the handling of the fight against banditry in his state, claiming he would crush the menace within two months if he is given direct control of the security agencies.
The governor recalled recent attacks in Zamfara in a viral video, lamenting his lack of direct authority despite being the state’s chief security officer, a situation that is hampering the fight against banditry.
“I can tell you the whereabouts of every bandit kingpin in Zamfara, even with my phone,” Lawal said, adding that he had knows the terrain and the locations of bandits’ leaders.
“I can point to you where they are right now. But I do not control security agencies, and that is the problem.”
The governor expressed his helplessness during a recent incident in Shinkafi Local Government Area where dozens were killed, and security forces on the ground refused to move because they were not authorized to do so from Abuja.
“People were under attack, and I kept calling the security agencies.
They told me they were waiting for orders from Abuja. How do I save my people in such a situation?” the governor lamented.
Despite the restrictions, however , the governor said he had continued to support security operatives with logistics and funding, including the distribution of 150 patrol vehicles to the police, military, Department of State Services and civil defence.
Furthermore, thousands of Community Protection Guards and over 2,000 hunters from Borno and Yobe States had been recruited to join the fight.
Lawal emphasised thatbit was imperative to address the root causes of rural violence, adding that his administration was willing to provide basic amenities, such as schools and water to address grievances that might be fueling the insurgency.
“We are working to provide water, schools and other amenities because we know that when people live well, peace is easier to achieve,” he said, noting, however, that the situation was being politicized.
“The politicisation of insecurity is not hurting me as a person; it is destroying Zamfara. Some people do not want us to succeed, but I will not stop trying,” Lawal said.
“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.”
