By Abiola Olawale
Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has declared that he could eradicate banditry in the state within two months if granted direct control over security agencies.
While speaking on the issue of banditry in Zamfara, the governor expressed frustration over what he described as the centralized command structure of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.
According to him, this situation limits his authority, despite his detailed knowledge of banditry operations across Zamfara State and his desire to end the scourge of banditry.
Lawal claimed he knows the exact locations of bandit leaders, but he is unable to act without approval “from Abuja”.
The governor narrated an incident in Shinkafi Local Government, where he claimed that security forces failed to respond to a bandit attack due to delayed clearance from Abuja, leaving communities vulnerable.
“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,” he said.
The New Diplomat reports that Zamfara is reportedly one of Nigeria’s hardest-hit states by banditry. The state has been facing attacks, mass abductions, and killings that have displaced villagers and crippled farming.
