The governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal has come under attack following his recent confession on the location and activities of bandits in the state.
Recall that Lawal in a recent viral clip in which he spoke in Hausa had claimed that he knows the locations of bandits terrorising the state.
The governor, however, said that his government was helpless in subduing the criminals and their activities.
He also claimed that if given the power, he could end banditry in the state within two months.
His words, “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.
“If I am the one in power to give the directives, I swear this issue will come to an end in two months,” Lawal said.
Lawal also lamented that despite procuring 150 vehicles for security agencies in Zamfara, he had no control over their deployment since directives must come from Abuja.
In addition, he claimed he could track the daily movements of bandits using devices at his disposal and insisted the crisis would end in two months if he had direct authority over security operatives.
Since making these revelations, the governor has come under immense attack causing outrage across political and security circles.
The remarks have been described as both reckless and self-indicting, particularly as the governor has already received billions of naira in monthly security votes since assuming office almost three years ago.
A top government official who spoke under anonymity described the governor’s statement as one that has shaken confidence at the highest levels of government.
“This is not just irresponsible; it is a slap in the face of Nigerians, especially the security forces. Here is a governor who has received billions in security votes, funds meant precisely for gathering intelligence and supporting operations, yet he goes on video to confess he is helpless. It is unacceptable,” the official said.
He also noted that Lawal’s admission of knowing the bandits’ locations but failing to officially transmit such intelligence to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Department of State Services (DSS), or the military was deeply troubling.
“If indeed the governor knows where these criminals are and has withheld such information, then he bears responsibility for every life lost in Zamfara. He cannot collect security votes, enjoy a heavily armed convoy, and then tell villagers that he knows where their killers are but can do nothing,” the official stated.
Security experts have also warned that the governor’s comments could embolden bandits and erode citizens’ confidence in state institutions.
Dr. Usman Shehu, a Kaduna-based researcher on violent conflicts, described the remarks as “reckless at best and complicit at worst”.
“When a governor admits he knows the location of criminals but insists he is powerless, he undermines both the constitution and the morale of security operatives. It leaves ordinary citizens exposed and erodes the very essence of governance,” Shehu said.
Another top government official disclosed that conversations were underway about whether President Bola Tinubu should consider declaring a state of emergency in Zamfara.
“The state is bleeding daily. Villages are being burnt, children abducted, and yet the chief security officer admits helplessness after pocketing billions in security votes. With this level of compromise, a state of emergency may be the only rational option,” the source argued.
The official also criticised the governor’s lavish personal security compared to the vulnerability of ordinary citizens.
“Everywhere he goes, his convoy bristles with armed escorts, including civil defence operatives and armoured vehicles. Meanwhile, ordinary people in Tsafe, Bukkuyum, and Kauran Namoda are slaughtered in their homes. That is the hypocrisy that has enraged Nigerians,” the source said.
The viral video has also unsettled Zamfara’s political class. Some lawmakers are said to be consulting their colleagues in Abuja on demanding a probe into the governor’s handling of security votes and intelligence-sharing obligations.
