By Ed Malik, A | ed@ddnewsonline.com | posted 8th September, 2025
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, says the menace of banditry would be eradicated in his state if governors were given direct control over security agencies.
Speaking in reaction to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s hint at establishing state police, Lawal lamented that security chiefs in Zamfara only take directives from Abuja despite the state’s heavy investment in security operations.
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The governor, in a viral video, said he has intelligence on the movement of every bandit kingpin in the state but lacks the authority to act decisively. He recalled that his administration recently distributed 150 patrol vehicles to security agencies and recruited thousands of Community Protection Guards (CPG), alongside 2,000 hunters from Borno and Yobe, to bolster the fight against insurgents.
“We have dozens of tracking facilities which we fixed across the state just to help security in tracking the bandits,” he said.
“I swear to Almighty Allah, wherever a bandits’ leader is located within Zamfara State, I know it and if he goes out, I know.
“With my mobile phone, I can show you where and where these bandits are today. But we cannot do anything beyond our powers.
“If today, I have the power to give orders to the security agencies, I can assure you, we will end banditry in Zamfara State within two months.
“Most of the time, I shed tears for my people because I can see a problem but because I don’t have control over the security agencies, I cannot order the security operatives to act in time.
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“There was a time, the bandits invaded Shinkafi Local Government and I was sitting here when the security operatives were alerted but they refused to go to Shinkafi simply because they were not given orders from Abuja. This is the problem we are facing but we have entrusted everything to God and surely, He will come to our rescue.”
Despite this challenge, Lawal noted that his government has continued to provide strong support for security agencies through logistics and operational funding. He pointed out that records are available for verification.
The governor recalled that about two months ago, his administration distributed 150 patrol vehicles to security outfits including the police, army, Department of State Services (DSS), and civil defence to enhance their operations.
In addition, thousands of Community Protection Guards (CPG) have been recruited, while more than 2,000 local hunters from Borno and Yobe states were also brought in to complement conventional security forces in the fight against banditry.
“I am doing all these despite the fact that I have no control over the security agencies; but because it’s my responsibility to protect the lives and properties of the people of Zamfara, as the chief security officer of the state.
“I have said it on several occasions that if the bandits are fighting because they lack some basic needs, I will provide them with whatever they lack; if they are lacking water, I will provide them with water, if they are lacking schools, I will build schools for them just to have peace in the state,” he said.
The governor lamented that some individuals are politicizing the issue of banditry, warning that such actions are hurting Zamfara State, not just him as governor. He recalled how massive numbers of security forces and heavy war equipment were deployed during a recent by-election in just six wards, contrasting this with the inadequate deployment to fight bandits.
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Although Lawal didn’t name names, he has been at loggerheads with the opposition APC in Zamfara. His supporters and those of the Minister of State for Defence (and former Zamfara governor) Bello Matawalle, whom Lawal defeated in 2023, continue to trade blame over insecurity.
Despite challenges, Lawal pledged not to relent in tackling banditry and appealed for patience from the people of Zamfara, without predilection regards to the political undercurrents between PDP and APC figures in the state.
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