ZAMFARA State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has lamented the siege on the state by bandits and the menace of kidnapping, appealing to President Bola Tinubu to come to his aid.
The governor, while lamenting that the state was “becoming something else” as a result of incessant bandits attacks, especially in the last few days, called for more boots and equipment on the ground to enable the military to function effectively and tackle the precarious security situation in the state.
Lawal, speaking shortly after a closed-door meeting with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said he came to brief the President on the security situation in the state, warning that if nothing was done to arrest the situation, the entire northern part of the country would be in trouble.
The governor regretted that Zamfara has become an epicenter of banditry and recently recorded several attacks in some local government areas, despite his administration’s efforts to end the criminal activities of the bandits.
The governor added: “There have been several attacks in some of the local government communities. I feel as a responsible governor, I should make this known to Mr. President, who is pleased with the discussion we had, and we are looking for more military personnel, as well as the equipment for them to be able to function effectively and take care of the security situation.
“Zamfara has become the center of banditry as we speak today, and if nothing is done, I don’t think we will be able to solve the situation in the entire northern Nigeria.
“Most of the boys and girls kidnapped in Kaduna State recently ended up in Zamfara, and that is not good for us. We’re doing everything to change the narratives, and that is one of the reasons I came to see the President; to inform Mr. President, and I have got his assurance that something drastic will be done to take care of the situation as soon as possible.”
He lamented that state governors do not have control over the military and the Police; hence it remains the responsibility of the federal government to issue directives, noting; “As you are fully aware, we as governors don’t have control over the military and Police. It is the responsibility of the federal government.
“Therefore, at any point, we need to inform Mr. President, so that we can get his blessing either to direct them or to do something else that will help them take care of that situation.”
He explained that the Community Protection Guard recently launched by the state government is intended to collaboratively work with the military and Police, given their better understanding of the terrain
“They go out on their own on operation, they go together, either with the military or the Police. These people understand the terrain better than even the military and Police.”
