Give Me Control of Security, I’ll End Banditry in Two Months – Dauda
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has declared that he possesses the capacity to eliminate banditry within two months if granted direct control over security agencies operating in the state.
The governor made the remarks in an emotional address that went viral on Wednesday, during which he broke down in tears while recounting recent attacks that claimed dozens of lives in Shinkafi Local Government Area.
Lawal lamented that the biggest obstacle to ending insecurity in Zamfara was the centralised command of security operatives, who take orders from Abuja rather than the state government.
“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,” the governor said.
He narrated how during the Shinkafi attack, security forces declined to act despite urgent calls for intervention because they were awaiting clearance 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 the restrictions, Lawal said his administration has been supporting security agencies with logistics and funding. He noted that 150 patrol vehicles have been distributed to the police, military, Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. In addition, thousands of Community Protection Guards and more than 2,000 hunters from Borno and Yobe States have been recruited to bolster the fight against banditry.
The governor also highlighted efforts to address the root causes of rural violence through the provision of social amenities. “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.
Lawal accused political opponents of exploiting insecurity for personal gain, warning that such actions undermine the welfare of Zamfara’s citizens. “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,” he stated.
He further criticised the heavy security deployment witnessed during a recent by-election in the state, arguing that it demonstrated that resources were available but prioritised for politics instead of protecting lives.
While Boko Haram and ISWAP have devastated the North-East for more than a decade, killing over 35,000 people and displacing millions, the North-West has faced a separate wave of armed banditry that continues to threaten lives and livelihoods in rural communities.
