Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has stated that he could eliminate insecurity in the state within two months if he were given full operational control over security agencies.
In a viral video circulating on social media, Governor Lawal expressed frustration over his limited powers as a state governor, despite having firsthand intelligence on bandits’ movements within the state.
“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 and where these bandits are today. But we cannot do anything beyond our powers,” he said.
He explained that although he receives credible intelligence, he lacks the authority to direct military or police action without clearance from Abuja.
Giving an example, Lawal recounted a recent incident in Shinkafi Local Government Area, where bandits attacked and security operatives failed to respond in time due to bureaucratic delays.
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“Most of the time, I shed tears for my people because I can see a problem but, because I don’t have control over the security agencies, I cannot order the security operatives to act in time,” he lamented.
The governor emphasised that if the Federal Government were to devolve security command to the state level, the issue of banditry and armed violence could be resolved swiftly.
“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,” Lawal asserted.
Zamfara has remained one of the states worst affected by armed banditry, kidnappings, and rural violence, with repeated calls from state officials and civil society groups for state police or greater regional autonomy in security operations.
The governor’s remarks reignite the national conversation on Nigeria’s centralised security architecture and the long-standing debate over state policing.
