Zamfara Insecurity: Don’t Claim FG’s Security Credit, CSOs Tell Gov Lawal

A coalition of civil society organizations in Zamfara State has criticized Governor Dauda Lawal for allegedly claiming credit for security improvements facilitated by the federal government.

In a statement signed by its speaker, Aliyu Suleiman, and made available to journalists in Abuja, the group accused the governor of failing in his role as the state’s chief security officer while trying to take undue recognition for federal interventions.

“We urge him to stop taking credit for what does not belong to him,” the statement read.

“The recognition for the improved security situation should go to Minister Matawalle and the federal government.”

The coalition recalled that during his campaign and early in his tenure, Governor Lawal had declared that he had no control over security agencies in the state and urged residents to direct their concerns to the federal government.

According to the group, it was only after this admission that the federal government, through the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, intensified efforts to combat insecurity in Zamfara.

It noted that these efforts, have led to the elimination of several notorious bandit leaders, including Sani Mai Nasara, Sani Black, Kachalla Auta, Kabiru Jan Geru, and Audu Gajere, all linked to the infamous Bello Turji.

It further emphasized that since President Bola Tinubu assigned Minister Matawalle to oversee security in Sokoto and other parts of the North West, incidents of insecurity in Zamfara have significantly reduced.

The coalition also accused Governor Lawal of misleading the public during his 2022–2023 election campaign, where he reportedly promised to end insecurity within his first 100 days in office.

However, they argued that nearly a year and a half into his administration, it was the federal government’s intervention that had made a difference, not his policies.