By Cross Udo, Abuja
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has lamented that the state is under the siege of banditry and kidnapping, pleading with President Bola Tinubu to come to the aid of the state.
The governor, who said that the state is becoming something else as a result of the frequent attacks by bandits in the last few days, called for more presence of the military.
Lawal disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after meeting behind closed doors with the President.
He said that he came to the seat of power to brief President Tinubu on the security situation in the state, stressing that if nothing is done to arrest the situation, the whole of the northern part of the country will be in trouble.
Lawal said that the State has become an epicentre of banditry and had recently recorded several cases of banditry attacks in a few local governments, despite all efforts the state government is exploring to end the criminal activities of the bandits in the state.
The Governor said that he requested more military personnel as well as the equipment that will enable the officers to function effectively enough to tackle the current security situation in the State.
He said, “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.
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“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 entire northern Nigeria.”
He acknowledged that the abducted Kuriga school children and few other victims of banditry were recovered in Zamfara State thereby spurring the state to be more proactive to change the narratives.
He said, “Most of the guys or the girls kidnapped in Kaduna state, ended up in Zamfara State which 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.”
He noted that the state governors do not have control over the Nigerian military and the police, hence it remains the responsibility of the Federal government to issue directives.
“As you are fully aware, we as governors, 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.”
The Governor explained that the Community Protection Guard recently launched by the Zamfara State government is intended to collaboratively work with the military and the police adding that they have a better understanding of the terrain
“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 with the military or the police. And let me say this, these people are expected to understand the terrain better than even the military and the police.”
*We’ve curbed the kidnap of students in Borno– Zulum
Meanwhile, the Governor of Borno State, Prof Babagana Zulum, yesterday said the successful implementation of the Safe School Initiative has helped to stem the tide of kidnapping of students in the state.
Zulum disclosed this while speaking to State House correspondents shortly after he met behind closed doors with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Governor said, “We started (the Safe School Initiative) not now because we launched this programme about seven to eight years ago due to the insecurity situation in our state.
“I believe almost most of our schools are well-fenced as part of the safe school initiative. We have also deployed the military, the civilian JTF, as well as hunters and vigilantes who are working closely to ensure that our schools are safe.
“So we’re doing very well, I believe you haven’t heard much in Borno State as regards the abduction of school children, it is because our school initiative is working very well. I also want to commend the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian police, and all others. We’re working closely and they’re doing very well in terms of safeguarding our schools.”
Fielding questions on the number of people so far repatriated by the state government, he said, “So far so good, within the last six to seven years, not less than 100,000 people were repatriated. This is the official figure.
“The unofficial figures might be more than this. But I want to inform you that we still have remnants of people living in Chad, Niger and Cameroon. I need to discuss this with the National Commission for Refugees as well as NEMA and other organizations before coming out with a figure.
“But the most important thing that I want to tell you is that we have started the repatriation and this administration is committed to ensuring that all our refugees living in our neighbouring countries are repatriated before the end of this administration.”
Zulum declared that the take-off of key institutions including the Yauri Irrigation scheme in northern Borno as well as the South Chad irrigation projects will help to consolidate the relative peace earnestly sought by the state.
This came as the Federal College of Education located in Gwoza is set to take off with the approval of the President.
Recall that insecurity has continued to weigh down the states even as the Government recently declared a one-day state-wide fast to seek divine intervention as it battles the spate of landmine explosions across its major roads.
“Now that we are having relative peace in Borno state, there’s a need for the government to ensure the re-establishment of the South Chad irrigation project.
“South Chad irrigation project has tremendous potential to produce food to cater for the needs of the entire northern Nigeria or I can say even the entire country.
“But as a result of insecurity in the region, the irrigation scheme is not functioning very well for the last decade or more than a decade,” he disclosed.
Zulum also disclosed an assurance by the President for the establishment of a strong security outfit in the Lake Chad Basin to enable the people to have unhindered access to farmlands.
“I spoke with them Mr President and the President will look into the possibility of establishing a very strong security outfit in the Lake Chad Basin so that people can have access to agricultural lands.
“Since the country is looking forward to ensuring food security in terms of quantity and quality, when these two irrigation projects are re-established, I believe the issue of food security will be addressed not only in Borno state but also in Nigeria,” he added.
On the approval for the take-off of the federal college of education located in Gwoza, the governor said the project “is very important and dear to the entire people of Borno State.”
