‘With My Phone, I Can Track Bandits’ Locations, But I Lack Power To Act’ — Zamfara Governor Laments

Gusau, Zamfara State- Zamfara State governor, Dauda Lawal, has revealed that he knows the precise locations of bandit leaders terrorising the state but remains powerless to act because he does not have control over security agencies.

In a viral video, Lawal said despite his ability to track the movements of armed groups, the fight against insecurity in Zamfara has been undermined by the fact that security chiefs in the state only take directives from Abuja.

“There was a time I wept because I was seeing things. Wallahi Billahi, anywhere the bandits appeared, I could see them and know their locations. My phone would reveal everything—where they came out from and where they were hiding. But there was nothing we could do about it,” the governor lamented.

Lawal said that with direct authority over security agencies, the crisis could be resolved within weeks. “I swear to God, if I had the authority to control the security agencies today, within two weeks we would end all this insecurity,” he declared.

The governor disclosed that he had taken independent steps by recruiting nearly 2,000 trained sharpshooters, providing them with vehicles and ammunition to confront the gunmen. However, he alleged that some of their operations were abruptly halted by higher authorities.

“There was a time they entered Shinkafi to dislodge the bandits in their hideout. I was sitting here when I received a call that they had been told to retreat. These are the kinds of challenges I have been facing,” he said.

Lawal questioned the motive behind the killings and kidnappings of ordinary citizens in Zamfara, many of whom he said were only struggling to survive.

“What have the poor done to deserve killings, kidnappings, or having their farm produce forcefully taken? What wrong have they committed?” he asked.

The governor vowed to continue working to restore peace, pledging to provide schools, hospitals, and water if such demands would stop the violence.

He also accused political actors of exploiting insecurity for personal gain.

“They have politicised insecurity in the state. We are praying to God to expose whoever is involved in this insecurity, those who derive happiness from it, or those who are politicizing it. If they are using insecurity as a means to gain political positions, may God deny them,” he added.

Despite the setbacks, Lawal insisted that insecurity in Zamfara has reduced compared to previous years and urged residents to remain patient, stressing that his administration would not relent in the fight to secure the state.