Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has reaffirmed his administration’s firm stance against terrorism and banditry, declaring that the state will not retreat in its efforts to restore security and protect residents.
Lawal made the position known at the North-West Security Summit, themed “Appraising the Security Challenges in the Northwest Region,” where he maintained that criminal groups terrorising Zamfara and other parts of the region must not be allowed to dictate the future of the people.
The governor argued that terrorists and bandits have repeatedly used negotiations to gain time, regroup and launch fresh attacks, warning that continued engagement without a decisive security strategy could weaken the authority of the state and encourage other criminal networks.
He also called for stronger cooperation among the seven North-West states and the Federal Government to prevent terrorists and bandits from exploiting state boundaries.
According to Lawal, banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling should not be treated as isolated problems because criminal groups operate across state lines.
He noted that terrorists operating in Zamfara could move into Sokoto, Katsina or Kebbi States, establish new bases and recruit new members whenever security operations are concentrated in one location.
Lawal therefore advocated simultaneous and coordinated operations across the region, alongside real-time intelligence sharing, to disrupt criminal networks and deny them safe havens.
The governor stressed that defeating terrorism would require more than deploying troops, saying the financial, logistical and support networks sustaining criminal groups must also be dismantled.
He called for stronger financial intelligence, measures to disrupt ransom payments and other illicit revenue streams, disruption of supply chains, monitoring of vulnerable routes and improved grassroots intelligence.
Lawal also acknowledged the role of local collaborators in sustaining criminal activities but stressed that the majority of residents in affected Zamfara communities remain victims of the violence.
He said communities have lost relatives, homes, farms, businesses and years of their lives to insecurity, while those who knowingly assist criminal groups must be identified and held accountable.
Since assuming office in 2023, Lawal’s administration has maintained engagements with security chiefs, police commissioners and military commanders, as well as the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff and President Bola Tinubu.
The administration established the Zamfara State Security Trust Fund, inaugurated its 21-member Board of Trustees in February 2024 and commissioned its integrated office complex the following month.
In January 2024, Lawal also launched the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards to complement conventional security operations and strengthen intelligence gathering at the grassroots.
His administration has introduced restrictions on tinted glass and measures targeting the illegal and unlabelled sale of petroleum products. It has also restricted traditional rulers from issuing mining licences as part of efforts to address activities allegedly linked to the financing of armed groups.
Technology has equally become part of the state’s security strategy. Zamfara hosted a course on Artificial Intelligence as a potential security tool, while during his interaction with UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, Lawal announced plans to deploy advanced technology in the fight against insecurity.
The governor described the security crisis as both a test of faith and a challenge requiring sustained investment in military capabilities.
“This is a test from Almighty Allah, and we will certainly overcome it through prayer and sustained investment in military hardware to defeat the terrorists.”
Lawal said the people of Zamfara deserve to farm without fear, send their children to school, travel safely and return to normal life.
He maintained that the “No Retreat, No Surrender” position was not merely a slogan but a commitment to restoring the authority of the state and securing lasting peace for its people.
And as Governor Lawal himself has often said, “Zamfara State must and will overcome.”
