Zamfara State governor Duada Lawal said bandits are succeeding in his domain because Nigerian security forces have a nonchalant attitude towards fighting against the murderous criminals and it is a frustrating development.
Zamfara has become a hotbed of bandit activities in the northern part of the country and according to the governor, the Federal government who are in control of the security agencies it seems lacks the will to put an end to the crisis, which is escalating by the day.
“We, as governors, don’t have control over the military. We don’t have control over the police as well as the civil defence. In most cases, we get frustrated,” Lawal said during an interview Tuesday on Channels TV.
“Sometimes when you’re really helpless. When you need them (security agents), they are not there. Even when they are there, they are given certain instructions on what to do and not what to do.
“In two weeks, we can take care of the situation, but the political will is not there.
“We know who they (bandits) are. We know where they live. It’s just that there is no political will.”
“While we are trying to take care of the situation, somebody, somewhere, somehow, behind our back, is negotiating with bandits… as a governor of a state, without my knowledge.”
He said that President Bola Tinubu it appears was not being briefed on the situation in Zamfara and other States affected by the crisis.
“When the situation really got bad, I had to meet Mr President and complain one-on-one, and I told him the true situation of what Zamfara is facing in terms of security.
“Based on the conversation we had, the answer is no. And I had to explain everything to him, what we are going through and what needs to be done.
“Zamfara state has become the hub of banditry in northern Nigeria. If you can take care of Zamfara today, believe me, you’d have solved 90 percent of the banditry issue in northern Nigeria as a whole.
“If we are committed, if we are serious, we can take care of this situation within two weeks maximum. But the political will is not there.”
In February governor Lawal established ‘ASKARAWAN ZAMFARA’ neibourhood watch to help the security agecies in the fight against the bandits. This was to reinforce his administration’s position not to negotiate with terrorists.
