THE Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal has declared that he could end the state’s long-running banditry crisis within two months—if only he were granted direct authority over security agencies.
The governor, visibly emotional in a viral video released yesterday, recounted recent attacks that left dozens dead, lamenting that the greatest barrier to restoring peace is Abuja’s tight grip on security command structures.
“I can tell you the whereabouts of every bandit kingpin in Zamfara, even from my phone. But I do not control security agencies, and that is the problem,” he said.
Lawal cited the most recent tragedy in Shinkafi Local Government, where residents came under siege while security operatives on the ground allegedly refused to intervene, insisting they lacked authorisation from the federal command.
“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 these constraints, the governor noted that his administration has poured resources into the fight.
He revealed that 150 patrol vehicles have been distributed among the police, military, DSS and civil defence, while thousands of Community Protection Guards and over 2,000 hunters from Borno and Yobe States have been recruited to reinforce local defences.
Beyond weapons and manpower, Lawal stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of rural violence.
“We are working to provide water, schools, and other amenities because when people live well, peace is easier to achieve,” he explained.
The governor also accused political rivals of exploiting insecurity for personal gain.
“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 warned.
His remarks reflect the frustration of state leaders who face mounting pressure from citizens but lack direct control over security operations.
The governor pointed to the heavy deployment of security personnel during a recent by-election in Zamfara as proof that resources exist but are often prioritised for politics rather than protection.
For Zamfara residents—where villages have been emptied by gunmen, farmlands abandoned, and mass abductions carried out—the governor’s promise carries both hope and frustration.
It highlights the stark limitations of Nigeria’s centralised security system, even as President Bola Tinubu and the National Economic Council weigh the prospect of state police, a long-demanded reform.
Since taking office in May 2023, Lawal has consistently called for state-controlled policing, echoing growing national calls for decentralised security.
Proponents argue that empowering states would bring quicker, tailored responses to local threats, while critics warn of potential misuse by political leaders.
For now, Zamfara remains one of the epicentres of Nigeria’s worsening insecurity—its governor adamant that he has the blueprint to end it, but not the authority.