Governor Dauda Lawal’s recent comments on insecurity in Zamfara have triggered sharp criticism from the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC), which accused him of undermining security efforts.
In a statement issued Thursday, September 4, in Gusau, APC Publicity Secretary Malam Yusuf Idris said the governor’s claim of knowing bandit leaders and their movements but failing to act has raised serious concerns.
“It is unfortunate for the governor and Chief Security Officer of the state to be saying that he is aware of the movement of every bandits’ kingpin and his gang operating in the state,” Idris stated.
He argued that if the governor truly had such intelligence, refusing to share it with security agencies was unacceptable.
“Very unfortunately, the governor refused to give an intelligence report to the security agencies fighting the bandits, day and night,” he added.
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The APC suggested Lawal’s stance amounted to an admission of failure.
“The governor’s statement is a clear acceptance of his government’s failure to protect the lives and properties of the citizens against bandit attacks,” Idris said.
The party further accused Lawal of ignoring collaboration with the Federal Government, contrasting his approach with former Governor Bello Matawalle, who it said equipped security agencies with vehicles and logistics support in his first months in office.
“The APC calls on Lawal to concentrate on delivering his campaign promises of ending banditry in two months and stop apportioning blames on anybody,” Idris added.
The clash highlights deepening tensions over security in Zamfara, a state that has endured years of killings, abductions, and raids by armed groups despite ongoing military operations.