Zamfara Governor Alleges Political Sabotage in Negotiations with Bandits

 Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has accused some of his political adversaries of negotiating with bandits without his knowledge. He made this claim during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, where he also criticized the lackluster efforts of the police and military in combating banditry in the North-West state.

“At one point, I had to come out and say it clearly because while we are trying to address the situation, someone somewhere is negotiating with the bandits without my knowledge,” Lawal lamented. He highlighted that previous administrations' negotiations with bandits had failed to yield positive results and only enriched the criminals.

When asked if he knew the identity of those negotiating with the bandits, he responded, “To some extent, we do.”

Lawal further explained that the lack of proactive measures by federally controlled security agencies prompted the creation of the state security outfit, Community Protection Guards, in January.

“As governors, we don’t have control over the military, the police, or the civil defence. Often, we feel frustrated,” he said. Lawal indicated that the state's security issues are deeply entangled with political motives.

“Sometimes, when you are really helpless and need security agents, they are not there. Even when present, they are given specific instructions on what to do and not to do,” he stated.

Lawal expressed confidence that the bandits, whose kidnapping-for-ransom activities are rampant in the state, could be neutralized within two weeks if there was sufficient political will.

“With the right political will, we can handle the situation in two weeks,” he asserted. “We know who the bandits are and where they live. It’s just that there is no political will.”

The governor revealed that he has met with all the service chiefs and pleaded for assistance to save the state, but the necessary political resolve has been lacking.

“Zamfara State has become the hub of banditry in Nigeria. If you can secure Zamfara, you solve more than 90% of the issues in northern Nigeria as a whole,” he said.

Lawal mentioned that he has discussed the issue with President Bola Tinubu, who has assured him that action will be taken to address the challenges.