Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State is facing mounting pressure to step down following a viral video in which he admitted to knowing the locations of bandits plaguing the state but claimed he was powerless to act. The undated clip, spoken in Hausa, has sparked widespread outrage, with critics labeling the governor’s remarks as reckless and self-incriminating.
In the video, Lawal revealed that he could track bandits’ movements using devices at his disposal, stating, “I swear to God wherever bandits are, we know. I know, I can show you on this phone wherever they are… I know, but we can do nothing.”
He further claimed that the banditry crisis could end in two months if he had direct control over security operatives, lamenting that his procurement of 150 vehicles for security agencies was ineffective due to directives coming from Abuja.
The remarks have drawn sharp criticism, particularly given the billions of naira in security votes Lawal has received since taking office nearly three years ago. A senior government official in Abuja, speaking anonymously, described the governor’s statements as “irresponsible” and a “slap in the face” to security forces and Zamfara residents. “He has received substantial funds for intelligence and operations, yet he claims helplessness. If he knows the bandits’ locations and hasn’t shared this with the National Security Adviser, DSS, or military, he is failing in his duties,” the official said.
He has received substantial funds for intelligence and operations, yet he claims helplessness. If he knows the bandits’ locations and hasn’t shared this with the National Security Adviser, DSS, or military, he is failing in his duties
Zamfara remains a hotspot for banditry, with recent attacks underscoring the crisis’s severity. On August 23, gunmen raided Gamdum Mallam and Ruwan Rana villages in Bukkuyum, killing two and abducting over 100. Earlier, an assault on Kauran Namoda left 24 dead, 16 injured, and 144 kidnapped. Residents, already reeling from such violence, expressed anger over Lawal’s comments. “If he knows where the bandits are and does nothing, he is unfit to lead,” said a community leader in Maru, speaking anonymously.
Security expert Dr. Usman Shehu called the governor’s remarks “reckless at best, complicit at worst,” warning they could embolden criminals and erode trust in governance. The official in Abuja hinted at discussions about a potential state of emergency in Zamfara, citing the governor’s failure to address the crisis despite significant resources. “Villages are burning, children are abducted, yet the governor, with a heavily armed convoy, claims powerlessness. It’s unacceptable,” the source added.
The controversy has also stirred Zamfara’s political landscape, with lawmakers reportedly considering a probe into Lawal’s handling of security votes and intelligence-sharing. The governor’s media team has not responded to requests for comment, leaving his administration under intense scrutiny.
As violence continues to ravage Zamfara, calls for accountability grow louder. Whether through resignation, a probe, or federal intervention, Governor Lawal’s admission has placed him at the center of a crisis that threatens both his leadership and the state’s stability.
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