Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has said the lingering insecurity ravaging the state would be wiped out in less than two months if governors were given full control over security agencies.
In a viral video circulating online, the governor lamented the limits of his authority, saying despite knowing the exact locations of notorious bandit leaders, he is powerless to issue direct orders to security operatives without clearance from Abuja.
“I swear to Almighty Allah, wherever a bandits’ leader is located within Zamfara State, I know it. If he goes out, I know. With my mobile phone, I can show you where these bandits are today. But we cannot do anything beyond our powers,” Lawal said.
He cited a recent attack in Shinkafi Local Government Area, where security operatives failed to respond promptly despite early alerts because they had not received clearance from federal authorities.
“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. Most of the time, I shed tears for my people because I can see the problem but cannot act,” he added.
Governor Lawal’s comments have once again renewed debates over the call for state policing as a solution to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
