Banditry: Zamfara people have lost confidence in current security system, Gov Lawal laments

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has stated that people in Zamfara have lost trust in the current security system and called for reforms to Nigeria’s policing structure.

The governor expressed deep concern over what he sees as deliberate obstacles hindering the fight against banditry in his state, saying his people no longer trust the federal government security agencies to end banditry in the state.

He claimed that security forces often halt operations due to orders coming from Abuja, limiting the effectiveness of local efforts.

Speaking at a public event in Gusau, Governor Lawal said his administration has access to crucial intelligence, including real-time locations of notorious bandit camps through his personal phone.

Despite this, he lamented that he cannot direct security operatives to act independently, as they follow instructions from federal authorities.

“Sometimes my phone reveals the exact location these bandits, but I cannot direct the security forces to act. Just recently, our men went into Shinkafi forest to flush out the criminals, yet they were ordered to retreat. This is the situation we are dealing with,” he said.

Lawal warned that such restrictions embolden criminals who continue to attack rural communities, abduct travellers, and extort farmers across the state.

He argued that state governments are left vulnerable despite bearing the humanitarian and economic costs of insecurity.

He said giving state governments more control over security operations would improve response times and allow authorities to stop attacks before they happen.

Zamfara remains a hotspot for banditry in the North-West, with thousands displaced and farming activities disrupted.

Lawal urged the federal government to prioritize citizens’ safety over bureaucracy, warning that continued inaction could worsen the crisis.