Gov Lawal and Defence Minister Matawalle Trade Blame Over Zamfara Insecurity
The Zamfara State Government has reiterated its firm stance against negotiating with bandits, declaring that no internal or external pressure will compel the administration to engage in reconciliation talks with them.
Alhaji Faruk Ahmad, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media and Mobilization, made this clear on Monday in Gusau, the state capital, while responding to statements by former governor and current Minister of State for Defense, Muhammad Bello Matawalle.
Ahmad emphasized that Governor Dauda Lawal is making significant progress in combating banditry, highlighted by recent revelations from prominent bandit leader Bello Turji.
In a video released on social media, Turji linked the escalation of banditry in Zamfara and other northwestern states to policies rolled out by Matawalle during his tenure as governor, including an amnesty scheme that provided financial rewards and protection for bandits who surrendered their arms.
Matawalle dismissed these claims as baseless attempts to distract and discredit him. In a statement signed by a former commissioner for Information, Alhaji Ibrahim Dosara, the former governor accused his successor of neglecting the state’s security issues.
“It is regrettable that all of Zamfara is under siege by bandits, with no local government headquarters untouched. Currently, Gusau, the state capital, faces daily attacks by bandits,” Dosara said.
He advised the current administration to redirect funds being used to tarnish his reputation towards protecting the lives and property of Zamfara’s residents.
In response, Ahmad reaffirmed the current administration’s commitment to eradicating banditry and expressed readiness to collaborate with anyone committed to freeing Zamfara from this menace.
“We thank God; the prayers of the people of Zamfara State have been answered. The bandits are now disclosing crucial information about their sponsors and collaborators. The measures taken by the current administration to address insecurity are yielding positive results,” he said.
Ahmad also refuted claims linking the Zamfara State Government to bandit leaders. “How can a government that refuses to reconcile with bandits be connected to them? It doesn’t make sense. Those with links to bandits know themselves. We thank God one of the bandits has begun making serious revelations,” he stated.
The exchange between Governor Lawal and Minister Matawalle highlights the ongoing tensions and challenges in addressing insecurity in Zamfara State.
The current administration maintains a hardline approach, rejecting any form of reconciliation with bandits, while the former governor defends his previous policies and calls for focused efforts on improving security.
