Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has stirred debate on Nigeria’s security structure after declaring that he could end banditry in his state within two months — if only he had direct control over security agencies.
In a viral video, the visibly emotional governor said he has accurate intelligence on the locations of bandit leaders and their hideouts. Yet, he explained, his hands are tied because security operatives in Zamfara only take directives from Abuja.
“I swear to Almighty Allah, wherever a bandit leader is in Zamfara State, I know it. With my phone, I can show you where they are today. But we cannot do anything beyond our powers,” Lawal lamented.
The governor recalled an incident in Shinkafi LGA where armed groups struck, but security forces refused to act until clearance was given from the federal government. He stressed that if allowed to command the security forces directly, banditry would be wiped out in Zamfara within two months.
Despite these limitations, Lawal said his administration has invested heavily in security — donating 150 patrol vehicles to the Police, Army, DSS and Civil Defence, as well as recruiting thousands of Community Protection Guards and 2,000 hunters from Borno and Yobe states.
“The politicisation of insecurity is destroying Zamfara. Some people don’t want us to succeed, but I will not stop trying,” he said, holding back tears over the plight of residents facing repeated attacks.
Zamfara has been one of Nigeria’s hardest-hit states in the decade-long wave of banditry, with mass kidnappings, killings and entire villages displaced. Protests in Gusau, the state capital, have seen residents accuse leaders of abandoning them.
The governor’s comments come as President Bola Tinubu recently announced that his administration is considering state police, along with drones and forest guards, as part of a broader security reform to tackle insecurity nationwide
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Zamfara Governor Speaks Out: “I Know Where the Bandits Are, But Orders Come From Abuja”
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has ignited fresh debate over Nigeria’s centralized security structure, claiming he could eliminate banditry in his state within two months—if only he had authority over security forces.
In a now-viral video, an emotional Governor Lawal revealed he possesses detailed intelligence on the locations of bandit leaders and their hideouts. However, he lamented that state-level officials have no operational control, as all directives must come from the federal capital.
“I swear by Almighty Allah, I know where every bandit leader is in Zamfara. I can show you their locations with my phone today. But we are powerless because the security forces here only take orders from Abuja,” he said.
Lawal cited a recent incident in Shinkafi Local Government Area, where armed groups launched an attack but security personnel reportedly failed to act without prior clearance from federal authorities.
He expressed deep frustration with the current system, insisting that if he were allowed to coordinate security operations directly, the menace of banditry in Zamfara would be eradicated within two months.
Despite the structural limitations, the governor noted that his administration has made significant investments in security, including the donation of 150 patrol vehicles to various agencies — the Police, Army, DSS, and Civil Defence. The state has also recruited thousands of Community Protection Guards and brought in 2,000 hunters from Borno and Yobe States to bolster local efforts.
“The politicisation of insecurity is destroying Zamfara. Some people don’t want us to succeed — but I won’t give up,” Lawal said, visibly moved by the ongoing suffering of residents under siege from violent groups.
Zamfara remains one of the most affected states in Nigeria’s prolonged security crisis, with widespread kidnappings, killings, and mass displacement. Residents in the capital, Gusau, have taken to the streets in protest, accusing authorities of neglect and inaction.
Governor Lawal’s remarks come amid national discussions about overhauling Nigeria’s security framework. President Bola Tinubu recently announced that his administration is exploring the introduction of state police, forest guards, and drone surveillance as part of broader reforms to improve security across the country.
