Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has stated that he can end banditry in his state within just two months, but only if he’s given direct control over the security forces. In a viral video, he revealed that he knows the precise locations of bandit leaders and their hideouts.
“I swear by Almighty Allah, wherever a bandit leader is in Zamfara State, I know,” he said. “With my phone, I can show you their locations today. But we cannot act beyond our powers.”
The governor became emotional as he described the ongoing suffering of his people, who continue to endure attacks while security forces wait for clearance from Abuja. He cited a specific incident in the Shinkafi Local Government Area where a delayed response from security agents, who were waiting for federal approval, allowed an attack to escalate.
“If today I have the power to give orders to the security agencies, I can assure you banditry in Zamfara will end within two months,” he lamented. “Many times I shed tears for my people, because I see the problem but cannot order the security men to act.”
Despite his limited authority, Governor Lawal noted that his administration has provided significant support to the fight against insecurity. This includes distributing 150 patrol vehicles to the police, army, DSS, and Civil Defence. The state has also recruited thousands of Community Protection Guards and brought in 2,000 hunters from Borno and Yobe states to help with security operations.
Lawal also accused political figures of sabotaging his efforts. “The politicization 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,” he concluded.
