In an interview, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State expressed his optimism over the progress made by his administration in combating banditry, particularly highlighting the killing of a notorious bandit leader, Halilu Sububu, by the military. He emphasized the significant impact of Sububu’s death on the bandits’ network, causing disarray among his followers, including another well-known bandit kingpin, Tuji, whom he expects will soon be apprehended or neutralized.
Governor Lawal pointed out the importance of military pressure and expressed confidence in the Nigerian forces’ ability to neutralize remaining bandits. He also discussed his administration’s stance against negotiating with bandits, insisting that negotiations should only occur from a position of strength. Lawal underscored the efforts made by his government to address infrastructure and development issues, such as clearing the backlog of salaries and settling debts owed to service providers.
Additionally, the Governor addressed allegations of corruption against his predecessor, Bello Matawalle, stating that investigations have uncovered misappropriations far exceeding initial estimates by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Lawal also emphasized his administration’s commitment to enhancing the security infrastructure in Zamfara and resolving long-standing financial and infrastructural challenges faced by the state.
The interview also touched on issues related to illegal mining activities and the steps taken by the state to regulate the sector, calling for stronger collaboration between federal and state governments to address this concern effectively.