Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has raised concerns that President Bola Tinubu is not adequately informed about the severity of banditry in the state.
During an appearance on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Lawal suggested that political motives are influencing the security situation in Zamfara. He emphasized that with genuine commitment, banditry could be eradicated in just two weeks. However, he pointed out that security agents are often unavailable when needed and, even when present, they operate under restrictive instructions.
“In two weeks, we can take care of the situation, but the political will is not there,” Lawal stated. “We know who they (bandits) are. We know where they live. It’s just that there is no political will.”
Governor Lawal’s remarks highlight the need for decisive political action and better communication between state and federal authorities to effectively address the security challenges in Zamfara State.
When asked if he believes Tinubu is properly briefed on the actual state of things, the Governor responded: “Based on the conversation we had, the answer is no. I had to explain everything to him, what we are going through, and what needs to be done.
“Zamfara state has become the hub of banditry in northern Nigeria. If you can take care of Zamfara today, believe me, you’d have solved 90 percent of the banditry issue in northern Nigeria as a whole.
“If we are committed, if we are serious, we can take care of this situation within two weeks maximum. But the political will is not there.”
Governor Lawal added that he does not have control over the military, police, or civil defense personnel. This lack of control, he said, has rendered his government helpless in suppressing the operations of bandits in Zamfara.
“In most cases, you get frustrated in terms of where you get help from. When you need these people, they would be nowhere to be found. And therefore the best thing to do is to set up that kind of security outfit.
“There are a lot of security undertones in the security issues. Some of you find it difficult to come and say, but I know what we are going through. Sometimes you are helpless, and when you need them, they are not there, or even when they are there, they are given certain instructions on what to do and not to do.”
