Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, Tuesday called on the Federal Government to rid the State of banditry to end cases of kidnapping in northern parts of the country.
Governor Lawal stated this while briefing State House Correspondents on his meeting with President Bola Tinubu, at the presidential villa Abuja.
Lawal who said that the Zamfara has become an epicenter of banditry said the state recently recorded several cases of banditry attacks in a few local governments, despite deliberate efforts by the state government to end the criminal activities of the terrorists.
The Governor stated that the State has requested more military personnel as well as the equipment that will enable the officers to function effectively enough to tackle the current security situation in the State.
“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 have 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 in Zamfara state , I don’t think we will be able to solve the situation in the entire northern Nigeria
He noted that the abducted Kuriga school children and few other victims of banditry were recovered from Zamfara State thereby spurring the state to be more proactive to change the narratives.
“most of the guys or the girls kidnapped were kept in Zamfara state and ended up in Zamfara state that is not good for us, and therefore we’re doing everything to change the narratives and that is one of the reasons I came to see the president today.
“That is why I am here today I have informed Mr. President and I have his assurance that something drastic will be done to take care of the situation as soon as possible.”
The Governor restated that following the fact that the governor does not have control over the Nigerian military and the police, hence it remains the responsibility of the Federal government to issue directives.
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“As you are fully aware, we have as Governors we don’t have control over the military as well as the police 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.
Governor Lawal added that the State Community Protection Guard recently launched by the Zamfara State government trained to collaboratively work with the military and the police adding that they have a better understanding of the terrain
“Like you rightly pointed out last month we launched what we call the community protection guard And these are people that are well trained to take care of the security situation, together with the security operatives, they go out on their own on operation, they go together, either the military or the police. And let me say this, these people are expected and they understand this rank better than even the military and the police.
“So in a way, it’s a collaborative effort, and that will count towards quite the contrary, so that will come to an end.
“And that’s why I’m here today to get the blessing of the President to do something very, very drastic plastic” Lawal added.
