Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has declared that he has the capacity to wipe out banditry in the state within two months, if security agencies were placed under his direct control.
Lawal, visibly emotional and in tears while recounting recent attacks in a viral video on Wednesday, said the greatest obstacle to peace was that security operatives in Zamfara still take instructions 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,” he lamented.
The governor cited a recent massacre in Shinkafi Local Government Area, where dozens were killed, saying security forces on the ground refused to act because they lacked 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 in frustration.
Despite not having command authority, Lawal said his administration had provided extensive support, including 150 patrol vehicles for security agencies, logistics funding, thousands of Community Protection Guards, and over 2,000 hunters from Borno and Yobe States. He also stressed the importance of addressing root causes of violence by investing in water, schools, and other basic amenities.
Lawal accused political opponents of exploiting insecurity for selfish gain, warning that such actions undermine the welfare of Zamfara people. He pointed to the heavy deployment of security during a recent by-election as proof that resources exist but are being prioritised for politics rather than protecting lives.
Zamfara remains one of the epicentres of North-Western banditry, a crisis that has seen armed groups evolve from cattle-rustling gangs into heavily armed networks carrying out mass abductions, killings, and raids on farming communities. Thousands have been displaced, while farmers abandon their fields for fear of attacks.
The governor’s outcry comes as President Bola Tinubu and the National Economic Council consider establishing state police, a long-standing demand of governors in violence-hit states. Lawal has consistently championed the reform since assuming office in May 2023, echoing Tinubu’s recent endorsement of the idea.
For residents of Zamfara, where villages are emptying out and farming is grinding to a halt, Lawal’s claim that he could end banditry in two months if empowered reflects both hope and the frustrations of Nigeria’s highly centralised security system
