Governor Dauda Lawal has reaffirmed the Zamfara bandit policy, declaring that his administration will not negotiate with armed bandits but will continue supporting military operations until criminal groups surrender or face prosecution under the law.
The governor’s position was conveyed by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Mukhtar Musa, during the inauguration of the Association of Zamfara State Indigenes Residing in Kaduna Secretariat on Sunday. The event also featured the distribution of food items to vulnerable members of the association.
According to Musa, the state government remains committed to restoring peace through close collaboration with security agencies operating across Zamfara.
Musa said the government would continue providing logistics, operational equipment, ammunition and other forms of support to security personnel engaged in combating insecurity.
“The governor will never negotiate with bandits. Those willing to surrender should do so or face the law,” he said.
He added that the Zamfara bandit policy prioritises sustained military pressure until lasting peace is achieved throughout the state.
The Chief of Staff also stressed the importance of intelligence gathering from residents, urging citizens to promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies to strengthen ongoing security operations. Speaking on community development, Musa described the inauguration of the Kaduna secretariat as a significant achievement that reflects unity among Zamfara indigenes living outside the state.
He praised the organisers for establishing the secretariat and announced a donation of N5 million from the Zamfara State Government to support the association’s activities. Musa also assured members that Governor Lawal would visit the association in the future to strengthen engagement. Earlier, the association’s Chairman, Alhaji Garba Balarabe, described the inauguration as a historic milestone, saying the secretariat would serve as a centre for coordination, welfare and unity among members.
He disclosed that the association distributed 280 bags of 10kg rice, vegetable oil and spaghetti to less privileged members. He also appealed to the state government to support efforts to acquire a permanent office in Kaduna.
Chairman of the occasion and Zamfara Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Dr. Abdulrahman Tumbido, said many Zamfara indigenes had relocated to Kaduna because of insecurity but expressed optimism that peace would soon return.
National President of the Zamfara State Indigenes Association, Alhaji Usman Balarabe, called for greater unity among members and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to supporting women, children and other vulnerable groups.
The association’s Ex-Officio, Hajiya Aishatu Maradun, appealed for continued government support for programmes benefiting members. Representing Engr. Abdullahi AbdulKarim Tsafe, Engr. Garba Abubakar formally inaugurated the secretariat and commended the humanitarian distribution of food items. He also recommended translating the association’s constitution into Hausa to improve accessibility and understanding among members.
The Zamfara bandit policy underscores the state government’s continued reliance on military operations, intelligence sharing and community collaboration rather than negotiations as part of its strategy to tackle insecurity.
The event attracted government officials, traditional rulers, politicians, community leaders and members of the association from Kaduna, Abuja and other parts of Nigeria, highlighting continued calls for unity while supporting efforts to restore lasting peace in Zamfara State.
