“I Can Tell You Whereabouts of Every Bandit,” Zamfara Governor Boasts, APC Reacts
- The All Progressives Congress (APC) heavily criticised Zamfara governor Dauda Lawal over his statement concerning banditry
- Governor Lawal had earlier declared that he could end banditry in the state within months and further revealed that he knew the locations of bandit leaders
- In a swift response, the APC accused Governor Lawal of harbouring bandits and also challenged him to deliver on his campaign promises
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Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara state has declared that he has the capacity to end banditry in the state within two months if given direct control over security agencies.
Source: Facebook
"I can end banditry": Gov Lawal boasts
Speaking during a live media chat with local radio stations at the Government House in Gusau, Governor Lawal said:
“I can tell you the whereabouts of every bandit kingpin in Zamfara, even with my phone. I can point to you where they are right now. But I do not control security agencies, and that is the problem.”
He cited a recent incident in Shinkafi Local Government where dozens were killed, claiming that security forces on the ground failed to act because they were awaiting authorisation from Abuja.
Reacting, the Zamfara state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly criticised the governor’s comments.
Source: Facebook
"He is harbouring bandits": APC alleges
ACP accused Governor Lawal “harboring bandits” and failing to deliver on his campaign promise to end insecurity within two months of assuming office.
In a statement by its publicity secretary, Yusuf Idris, the APC said Governor Lawal’s repeated claims of knowing the locations of bandit leaders without acting on the information amounted to complicity.
“We don’t know why he is harbouring them in the state and continues to allow them to kill and abduct innocent citizens, or perhaps because he wants to use them against his political rivals,” the statement alleged.
Speaking further, The APC accused the governor of politicising insecurity in Zamfara state, claiming he has failed to adequately fund security agencies despite boasting about providing vehicles for them.
“While boasting that he bought and distributed 150 vehicles to security agencies, he failed to say that they were given not as operational vehicles but as mobility cars, without support for fueling and maintenance. In contrast, former Governor Bello Matawalle distributed 200 fully equipped operational vehicles with allowances for logistics,” the APC said.
APC challenges Zamfara governor
As reported by Channels TV, the opposition party also challenged Lawal to review his campaign promises, stressing that his recent remarks only highlight his failure to protect lives and property.
“Let him concentrate on delivering his campaign promises of ending banditry in two months and stop apportioning blame. Now is the time for action, not media propaganda,” the APC insisted.
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NEF urges Tinubu: Declare emergency in north
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) cried out to President Bola Tinubu following deadly attacks rocking the region in recent times.
The NEF urged President Tinubu to declare an emergency in the region for their safety and issued a warning.
NEF outlined its demands weeks after bandits attack in Zamfara and Katsina states, claimed over 140 lives.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
