From John Bassey, Gusau
Zamfara State Governor, Dr. Dauda Lawal, has explained why the state is winning war against insurgency, attributing it to a deliberate refusal to negotiate with bandits and the creation of community protection guards as well as increased support for security agencies.
Speaking with journalists immediately after the unveiling of the renovated block C structure in JB secretariat, Gusau, Governor Lawal explained that his administration inherited a dangerous and unsecured environment rooted in more than a decade of violent conflict, daylight kidnapping, rampant killing and banditry.
“Insecurity is something I inherited in Zamfara State for the past 13 years. Upon resumption of office, one of the first things I did was to establish the Community Protection Guards, which cut across all the 14 local government areas in Zamfara.
“We carefully selected individuals based on full security clearance by the DSS. They were trained to be the first line of defence, and they now work hand in hand with the conventional security agencies to fight banditry in the state.”
Rejecting the idea of negotiations with criminal elements, Governor Lawal maintained a hardline stance; he had declared since his inception as the Governor of Zamfara state
“We refused to negotiate with the criminals because, I do not believe that is the way forward” he stated. “However, anybody who wishes to surrender unconditionally is welcome to do so—but not under any terms.
According to the governor, his administration has invested heavily in logistics and operational support for security forces, which he said has already begun to yield results.
You don’t hear the kind of incessant attacks that used to happen in the past, where almost, on daily basis you would hear that 200 people were killed. Yes, there may still be pockets of attacks here and there, but the security situation in Zamfara has improved drastically based on the measures we’ve put in place,” he noted.
Lawal revealed that the state has successfully intercepted arms and ammunition being transported into Zamfara from other states.
“Almost on a weekly basis, we intercept these courier coming from Port Harcourt, Plateau, and Nasarawa he concluded.