Pressure Mounts on Zamfara Governor Over Banditry Remarks

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, is under mounting pressure to resign after a viral video surfaced in which he admitted knowing the locations of bandits but claimed helplessness in tackling them. The governor, speaking in Hausa, lamented that despite purchasing 150 vehicles for security agencies, he lacked the authority to dictate their deployment, as orders must come from Abuja.

In the clip, Lawal declared:
“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.”

The remarks have triggered outrage across political and security circles, with critics calling them reckless, self-indicting, and deeply troubling at a time when Zamfara remains Nigeria’s epicentre of banditry.

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Growing Anger Over Governor’s Admission

Critics argue that a governor who has received billions of naira in monthly security votes cannot credibly claim helplessness while rural communities continue to suffer devastating attacks.

According to a senior government official quoted by Independent, Lawal’s words “shaken confidence at the highest levels.”

“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.

The official further stressed that if Lawal truly knows the bandits’ hideouts but failed to officially share such intelligence with the National Security Adviser (NSA), Department of State Services (DSS), or the military, then he bears responsibility for ongoing killings and kidnappings in Zamfara.

Zamfara’s Banditry Crisis Deepens

Zamfara has long been the epicentre of Nigeria’s worsening banditry crisis. On August 23, gunmen invaded Gamdum Mallam and Ruwan Rana villages in Bukkuyum Local Government Area, killing two people and abducting more than 100 residents. Earlier in the same month, 24 were massacred in Kauran Namoda, with 144 others kidnapped.

Community leaders say Lawal’s remarks have only worsened their despair. A village head in Maru told reporters:
“If he truly knows where the bandits are and refuses to act, then he is not fit to lead us. We are left at the mercy of killers.”

Dr Usman Shehu, a Kaduna-based researcher on violent conflicts, described the statement 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 explained.

Calls for Emergency Measures

The fallout from Lawal’s comments has reportedly reached Abuja, where federal officials are said to be weighing the option of 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,” a federal insider revealed.

The same source criticized the governor’s heavy personal security compared to the dire situation faced by 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.

Lawmakers Weigh Possible Probe

Lawal’s troubles may also deepen within Zamfara State. Lawmakers in the House of Assembly are reportedly considering launching an investigation into his handling of security votes and intelligence-sharing obligations.

Analysts warn that his admission could embolden bandits, erode citizens’ confidence in government, and even fuel calls for his resignation. The controversy has placed the governor in a precarious position, with mounting calls for accountability both at the state and national levels.

For residents of Zamfara, however, the priority remains safety. With hundreds kidnapped in recent weeks and dozens killed in relentless raids, the governor’s remarks have heightened fears that state institutions are unable—or unwilling—to protect citizens.

As pressure intensifies, all eyes will be on whether Lawal can regain public trust or whether Abuja will step in with drastic measures, including the possibility of removing him through constitutional means. For now, Zamfara remains trapped in the grip of banditry, while its leadership faces a crisis of credibility.