Says: “We are under siege

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, yesterday lamented the siege on the state by bandits  and the menace by kidnappers, pleading with President Bola Tinubu to come to his aid.

The governor, who said t the state was “becoming something else” as a result of the frequency of attacks by bandits in the last few days, called for a strong presence of military booths.

Lawal spoke to newsmen moments after he met behind closed-doors with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He said he came to the seat of power to brief the President on the security situation in the state, warning that if nothing is done to arrest the degenerating situation, the whole of the northern part of the country would be in trouble.

Lawal lamented that the State had become an epicenter of banditry and had recently recorded cases of banditry in some local governments, despite all efforts by his administration to end the criminal activities of bandits in the state.

The Governor said his visit to the seat of power was to  request for deployment of more soldiers and equipment that will enable the military to function effectively and tackle the prevailing security situation in the State.

“There have been several attacks in some of the local government communities. I feel as a responsible governor, I should make this known to Mr. President, who is pleased with the discussion we have and we are looking for more military personnel as well as the equipment for them to be able to function effectively and take care of the security situation.

“Zamfara has become the centre of banditry as we speak today, and if nothing is done in Zamfara State , I don’t think we will be able to solve the situation in the entire northern Nigeria,” he said.

He acknowledged that the abducted Kuriga schoolchildren and few other victims of banditry were rescued in Zamfara State, thereby spurring the state to be more proactive to change the narratives.

He said: “Most of the guys or the girls kidnapped in Kaduna State, ended up in Zamfara State, that is not good for us, and therefore we’re doing everything to change the narratives and that is one of the reasons I came to see the President today.

“That is why I am here today I have informed  Mr President and I have his assurance that something drastic will be done to take care of the situation as soon as possible.”

He noted that state governors did not have control over the Nigerian military and the police, hence it remains the responsibility of the Federal government to issue directives.

The Governor explained that the Community Protection Guard recently launched by the state government was intended to work with the military and the police, adding that they had a better understanding of the terrain
 
“Like you rightly pointed out last month, we launched what we call the Community Protection Guard and these are people that are well trained to take care of the security situation, together with the security operatives. 

“They go out on their own on operation, they go together, either with the military or the police. And let me say this, these people are expected to understand the terrain better than even the military and the police.”

Also, Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, yesterday, declared that the take-off of key institutions, including the Yauri Irrigation scheme in northern Borno as well as the South Chad irrigation projects would help to consolidate the relative peace earnestly sought by the state. 

This is as the Federal College of Education located in Gwoza is set to take off with the approval given by the President. Recall that insecurity has continued to weigh down the states even as the government make the government to declare a one-day statewide fast to seek divine intervention.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after he met with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, Zulum, who bemoaned the menace of insecurity in the lake Chad region, stated:  “Now that we are having relative peace in Borno State, there’s need for government to ensure reestablishment of South Chad irrigation project.

“South Chad irrigation project has tremendous potential to produce food to cater for the needs of the entire northern Nigeria or I can say even the entire country.”