Zamfara: ‘Criminals who reject peace must face full force of law’ – Gov Lawal

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has called for stronger joint security operations across the North-West, saying criminals who reject peace and threaten residents must face the full force of the law.

Lawal spoke on Wednesday in Gusau at a three-day North-West Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Police Force.

The summit was attended by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, representatives of North-West states, security and intelligence officials, traditional rulers and other stakeholders.

The governor said insecurity in the region had gone beyond isolated criminal activities, with organised networks involved in banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling operating across state boundaries.

He said the activities continued to threaten livelihoods, food security, education and investment, stressing that criminal networks did not recognise state boundaries.

Lawal called for closer cooperation among states and security agencies through real-time intelligence sharing, coordinated operations, inter-state surveillance and community policing.

“Our security must operate cohesively. Intelligence in Zamfara can prevent attacks elsewhere, and operations nearby can disrupt threats in Zamfara,” he said.

The governor also called for measures to disrupt the financial and logistical networks supporting organised crime, including routes, markets, intermediaries and financiers.

He urged participants to develop practical measures to tackle insecurity rather than leave the summit with another assessment of the challenges facing the region.

“We must, therefore, challenge ourselves to leave Gusau not merely with another diagnosis of insecurity, but with actionable options,” Lawal said.

The Inspector-General of Police said securing the North-West required collective action among states, security agencies and local communities.

“We have made up our minds to take the fight to these criminals,” Disu said, adding that the police would continue to deploy personnel and resources to improve security across the region.

Disu also stressed the importance of community cooperation, saying effective policing depended on support and information from residents.