Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara state has declared that he could end banditry in the state within two months.

The governor said this can only happen if given full control over security agencies.

The governor made the comments in a viral video.

He further stressed that while he knows the locations of bandit kingpins, his lack of authority over security operatives prevents him from acting decisively.

“I swear to Almighty Allah, wherever a bandits’ leader is located within Zamfara State, I know it, and if he goes out, I know."

“With my mobile phone, I can show you where these bandits are today. But we cannot do anything beyond our powers. If today, I had the power to give orders to the security agencies, I can assure you, we would end banditry in Zamfara within two months," Governor Lawal said.

The governor lamented that security chiefs in Zamfara take orders from Abuja. He cited an incident where bandits attacked Shinkafi Local Government but security operatives allegedly refused to respond because approval from the capital had not been granted.

Lawal explained that his administration has provided extensive support to security agencies, despite not having authority over them.

He said the government distributed 150 patrol vehicles to police, army, DSS, and civil defence personnel, in addition to recruiting thousands of Community Protection Guards and hiring over 2,000 local hunters from Borno and Yobe to complement conventional forces.

“As the chief security officer of the state, I will not relent. If the bandits are fighting because they lack basic needs, I will provide water, schools, or whatever they need, just to restore peace," Lawal said.

Governor Lawal accused certain individuals of politicising the banditry crisis, warning that such actions are weakening collective efforts to restore peace, Daily Trust reported.

“I want to remind those undermining our efforts in the fight against banditry that their actions are destroying the state, not Dauda Lawal as governor,” he added.

The governor pointed to the heavy deployment of security forces during a recent by-election as evidence that resources are available but often directed for political purposes rather than protecting citizens.