Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal has said banditry would be eliminated in the state within two months if governors were given direct control over security agencies.

Speaking in a viral video on Wednesday, Lawal lamented that despite being the chief security officer of Zamfara, security operatives in the state only take orders from Abuja. He said the lack of direct authority has hampered the fight against banditry.

“I swear to Almighty Allah, wherever a bandit leader is located in Zamfara State, I know it. With my phone, I can show you their locations today. But we cannot act because we don’t have the power,” the governor said.

“If I had control over the security agencies, I assure you banditry would end in two months.”

Gov Lawal also recalled an incident where security forces ignored alerts of bandit attacks, including one in Shinkafi Local Government, because they lacked clearance from Abuja. He said despite these challenges, his administration continues to support security agencies with logistics and has also recruited thousands of Community Protection Guards and 2,000 hunters from Borno and Yobe to assist in the fight.

The governor added that his government is willing to provide basic amenities such as schools and water to address grievances that may be fueling the insurgency.

While urging residents to remain patient, Lawal pledged not to relent. “Most of the time, I shed tears for my people because I can see a problem but cannot order security operatives to act in time. We have entrusted everything to God and surely, He will come to our rescue,” he said.