Zamfara state Governor Dauda Lawal has raised the alarm on the level of terrorism insecurity in the state, saying it is under siege and begged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to come to their rescue.
Addressing State House correspondents after a meeting with President Tinubu in Abuja, the governor said the whole of the northern part of the country would be in trouble if nothing is done to arrest the situation.
Declaration of bandits as terrorists
Although the governor, during the interview, called it banditry, it is, however, important to know that the federal government had years back, declared the criminal acts as terrorism and the perpetrators terrorists.
The declaration was titled ‘Terrorism (Prevention) Proscription Order Notice, 2021 is contained in Volume 108 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette.
“Notice is hereby given that by the Order of the Federal High Court Abuja, in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1370/2021 dated 25th November 2021 as per the schedule to this Notice, the Activities of Yan Bindiga Group, Yan Ta’adda Group and other similar groups in Nigeria are declared to be terrorism and illegal in any part of Nigeria, especially in the North West and North-Central Regions of Nigeria and are proscribed, pursuant to sections 1 and 2 of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011.
“Consequently the general public is hereby warned that any person or group of persons participating in any manner whatsoever in any form of activities involving or concerning the prosecution of the collective intentions or otherwise of the groups referred to in paragraph 1 of this Notice will be violating the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011 and liable to prosecution,” it read in part.
…Governor Lawal’s plea
Pleading with Tinubu to come to save them from the terrorists, the governor said the state had become the epicenter of terrorism and recently recorded several cases of attacks in some local government areas despite efforts by the state government to end the criminal activities there.
The governor said he had specifically requested more military personnel and equipment that would enable the officers and men of the security agencies to tackle the current 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.
“Most of the guys or the girls kidnapped were kept in Zamfara state and 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.
“As you are fully aware, we are as governors, we don’t have control over the military as well as the police, It is the responsibility of the federal government. Therefore, at any point, we need to inform Mr President so that we can get his blessing either to direct them or to do something else that will help them take care of that situation,” he said.
On the Community Protection Guard recently launched by the state government, he said it was intended to collaboratively work with the military and the police, adding that “they have a better understanding of the terrain.”
Lawal said: “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 the military or the police.
“And let me say this, these people are expected and they understand this terrain better than even the military and the police. So, in a way, it’s a collaborative effort. And that’s why I’m here today to get the blessing of the president to do something very, very drastic please.”
The governor sympathised with the victims of the recurring attacks by bandits, stressing that the government was working hard to put an end to banditry.
