Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has said that insecurity in the state could be brought to an end within two months if state governments were given direct control over security agencies.
In a viral video, the governor expressed frustration at what he described as the limitations of his office, noting that while he often has accurate intelligence on the movements and locations of bandit leaders, he lacks the authority to order federal security operatives into action.
“I swear to Almighty Allah, wherever a bandits’ leader is located within Zamfara State, I know it, and if he goes out, I know. With my mobile phone, I can show you where these bandits are today. But we cannot do anything beyond our powers,” Lawal said.
He recalled an incident in Shinkafi Local Government where bandits launched an attack but security operatives failed to respond because they had not received orders from Abuja.
The governor said the situation leaves him in anguish, as he often “sheds tears” for his people.
“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,” he declared.
