National Telescope national telescope newspaper
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has revealed his frustration over the lack of control he has over the state’s security, attributing the worsening banditry to political interference.
Speaking at a town hall meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, marking Nigeria’s 25th Democracy Day, Governor Lawal lamented the loss of precious lives due to incessant attacks, pointing the need for a more effective and apolitical approach to addressing the security crisis in the North-Western state.
Lawal stated, “By name, I am the chief security officer of my state, but when it comes to command and control, I don’t have control over any of the security outfits, whether the military, the police, or civil defense.
They take their instructions from their superiors, not from the governors. We don’t have that control; I wish we did; it would have been a different story.”
He argued that political meddling in Zamfara State has hindered efforts to address the security crisis, preventing any meaningful improvement despite the capabilities of the security agencies.
Lawal expressed confidence in the capabilities of Nigeria’s security forces, asserting that they possess the necessary resources and expertise to decisively defeat criminal elements and restore peace across the country.
Addressing the issue of banditry in Zamfara State, he said, “There is so much political interference in this country.
“Political interference is the major factor here. If we don’t have that, the military has the capacity to crush anybody.
“Remember, we do have our forces in Liberia and Sierra Leone, and they did very well.”
Governor Lawal voiced his confidence that the scourge of banditry and related security threats can be effectively tackled and defeated within a mere two weeks, provided there is the requisite political will.
This statement comes as Zamfara State, along with other states in the region, continue to grapple with the menace of bandits who perpetrate brutal attacks on villages, leaving trails of death, destruction, and displacement in their wake.
In a bid to bolster security, Governor Lawal launched the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards in Gusau, the state capital, earlier in February.
Governor Lawal’s remarks highlight the urgent need for a shift in how security operations are managed in Nigeria, advocating for greater autonomy for state governments to direct and control local security forces without undue political interference.
He emphasised that such a move would significantly enhance the effectiveness of security measures and better protect the lives and properties of citizens in Zamfara State and beyond.
