KEY POINTS
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Governor Lawal says state control could end banditry rapidly.
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Federal security restrictions hinder immediate response to attacks.
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NELFUND relocation to Abuja supports logistics and state coordination.
Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal declared that he could end the wave of banditry plaguing his state within two months if granted direct control over security agencies, a move he says is crucial to protecting lives and property.
In a video that circulated widely on Wednesday, Lawal broke down in tears recounting recent attacks, stressing that federal control of security forces prevents immediate action. “I can tell you the whereabouts of every bandit kingpin in Zamfara, even with my phone. I can point to you where they are right now. But I do not control security agencies, and that is the problem,” he lamented.
Governor Lawal highlights NWC security challenges
He cited a massacre in Shinkafi Local Government, where dozens were killed, saying troops refused to move because they awaited authorization 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?” he asked.
Despite these restrictions, Lawal’s administration has supplied 150 patrol vehicles to the police, military, Department of State Services, and civil defence, and recruited thousands of Community Protection Guards and over 2,000 hunters from Borno and Yobe States. He also emphasized the importance of addressing root causes of rural violence through provision of water, schools, and social amenities.
State control could end banditry quickly
Lawal accused political opponents of exploiting insecurity for selfish gain, asserting that prioritizing political agendas over civilian protection worsens the crisis. He pointed to a heavy security deployment during a recent by-election as proof that resources exist but are misallocated.
Zamfara, along with Katsina, Kaduna, and Sokoto, faces armed groups rooted in cattle-rustling that have evolved into heavily armed networks carrying out abductions, killings, and rural raids. The region has seen mass kidnappings, including about 300 schoolgirls in Jangebe in 2021 and over 300 schoolboys in Katsina in 2020.
Accordig to Punch, Lawal’s statements coincide with discussions by President Bola Tinubu and the National Economic Council on establishing state police, a reform long sought by governors in violence-prone states. While proponents argue local police could strengthen security, critics warn of potential misuse by politicians.
For Zamfara residents, Lawal’s promise offers hope, even as it underscores the limitations of Nigeria’s centralized security system and the urgent need for reform.
