Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has said he can end the ongoing banditry crisis in the state within two months if he is given full control over security agencies.
In a video that has now gone viral on social media, the governor expressed deep frustration over the insecurity in Zamfara, saying his hands are tied because he cannot command or deploy security operatives without approval from Abuja.
Governor Lawal claimed that he has enough intelligence to locate most of the bandits operating in the state, including their leaders. According to him, he can even pinpoint their exact locations using just his mobile phone.
“I swear to Almighty Allah, wherever a bandits’ leader is located within Zamfara State, I know it,” he said. “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.”
The visibly emotional governor said he often sheds tears for his people because he feels helpless in the face of the security crisis. He explained that although he has intelligence and is aware of attacks in real-time, he cannot act because he lacks the authority to give operational orders to military and police units.
He recalled a recent case in Shinkafi Local Government Area where bandits invaded communities, but security forces could not respond in time because they had not received orders from the central command in Abuja.
“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,” Lawal insisted.
Zamfara, in Nigeria’s North-West, has been one of the worst-hit states by banditry over the past few years. Armed groups have attacked villages, kidnapped residents, and disrupted farming activities. Many people have been killed, and thousands displaced from their homes.
Despite several military operations and peace talks in the past, the security situation in the state remains fragile. Bandits continue to operate freely in many rural areas, collecting levies from villagers and carrying out abductions for ransom.
Governor Lawal, who came into office in 2023, has made tackling insecurity a top priority. However, like other governors, he is limited by Nigeria’s federal security structure, which gives the President control over the army, police, and other security agencies.
Lawal’s comments have once again sparked debate about the need for state police in Nigeria. Many Nigerians believe that allowing state governments to have their own police forces will make it easier to respond quickly to local security threats.
Several governors, including those in the South-West and Middle Belt, have also made similar calls in the past, arguing that the current system slows down response time during emergencies.
However, critics warn that state police could be abused by governors for political reasons. The federal government has promised to consider reforms, but no major changes have been made yet.
Governor Lawal’s passionate speech has drawn sympathy from many Nigerians online. Some praised him for speaking honestly, while others demanded urgent action from the federal government to support his efforts in Zamfara.
For now, the people of Zamfara continue to hope for peace, as their governor calls for the powers he believes are necessary to secure their lives and property.
