Zamfara Governor: I Can End Banditry in Two Months If Security Agencies Take Orders from Me

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has declared that he could eliminate banditry in the state within two months if given direct authority over security agencies.

In a viral video, the governor lamented that despite knowing the exact locations of bandit hideouts, he is powerless to act because security operatives in the state only receive instructions from Abuja.

Governor Lawal stated: “I swear to Almighty Allah, wherever a bandit leader is in Zamfara State, I know it. If he goes out, I know. With my phone, I can show you where they are today. But we cannot do anything beyond our powers.”

The governor, visibly emotional, recounted the suffering of residents who face constant attacks while security forces hesitate, waiting for clearance from the federal government.

He cited an incident in Shinkafi Local Government Area where bandits launched an attack but security personnel refused to intervene without directives from Abuja.

Lawal added: “If today I have the power to give orders to the security agencies, I can assure you, we will end banditry in Zamfara within two months. Most of the time I shed tears for my people, because I see the problem but I cannot order the security men to act in time.”

Despite these limitations, the governor said his administration continues to support security efforts. According to him, 150 patrol vehicles have been distributed to the Police, Army, DSS, and Civil Defence. Additionally, thousands of Community Protection Guards and 2,000 hunters from Borno and Yobe states have been recruited to join the fight against banditry.

He lamented the politics surrounding insecurity, stressing: “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.”

Zamfara remains one of the states worst affected by banditry in northern Nigeria, marked by frequent kidnappings, killings, and mass displacement of rural dwellers. In recent months, angry citizens have staged protests in Gusau, the state capital, accusing leaders of failing to safeguard lives and property.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu recently revealed that his administration is considering the establishment of state police as part of broader measures to tackle insecurity, along with deploying drones and forest guards in troubled regions.