The Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development (PAPSD), a civil society organization, has called on Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal to work with the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to combat banditry and insecurity in the state.
The group’s Executive Director, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, stated that Governor Lawal’s refusal to cooperate with the military and the Defence Minister has worsened the banditry situation, allowing criminals to operate freely.
Shinkafi accused Governor Lawal of worsening the crisis by not supporting the military and Defence Minister, saying, “Governor Lawal’s refusal to support the military and cooperate with the Minister of State for Defence escalated the bandits’ siege in the state.”
The group noted that Governor Lawal had described Zamfara as the “headquarters of banditry” on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ program and criticized the military for not taking decisive action. However, Shinkafi argued that Governor Lawal’s leadership failures have contributed to the worsening security situation.
Shinkafi also highlighted the resignation of former Inspector General of Police, MD Abubakar, from the Board of Trustees of the Zamfara State Security Trust Fund, citing a loss of faith in the governor’s commitment to addressing the crisis.
“The governor has chosen to focus on discrediting his predecessor, Bello Matawalle, rather than taking meaningful action to combat banditry,” Shinkafi said.
In response to mounting pressure, Governor Lawal recently reconstituted the Zamfara State Security Trust Fund’s Board of Trustees and established a fundraising committee aimed at strengthening security efforts in the state.
Despite these steps, Shinkafi expressed disappointment, accusing Lawal of failing to deliver on his campaign promise to end banditry within 100 days of taking office.
He urged the governor to focus on his duties, stating that the people of Zamfara deserve peace and good governance.
