Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has called for an augmentation of military presence in the state amid rising insecurity concerns. The governor’s plea came during a meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, held at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Monday.
According to a statement released by Sulaiman Bala Idris, the spokesperson for Governor Lawal, the discussion primarily centered on the security situation in Zamfara State. Governor Lawal expressed grave concerns over the recent resurgence of attacks in various parts of the state.
During the meeting, Governor Lawal highlighted the unfortunate incident of an attack in Tsafe Local Government Area, which resulted in casualties, including a member of the Community Protection Guards (CPG), and destruction of military and local security vehicles by bandits.
Furthermore, the governor stressed the depletion of security personnel in Zamfara due to redeployment to other regions, exacerbating the challenges faced in maintaining peace and security. He emphasized the urgent need for additional troops and essential equipment to effectively counter the escalating threats posed by criminal elements.
Governor Lawal emphasized, “The deployment of security forces will undoubtedly uplift the people’s spirits and discourage criminals from engaging in their nefarious deeds.”
In response, General Christopher Gwabin Musa acknowledged Governor Lawal’s dedication in combating banditry in Zamfara State. He assured the governor of proactive measures being taken to address the security challenges, including strategic resource reallocation akin to the approach in Maiduguri.
“We are convening a conference with all theatre commanders and stakeholders to address the issue of attacks, which deeply saddens us,” General Musa stated.
The call for increased troop deployment underscores the gravity of the security situation in Zamfara State, necessitating concerted efforts between the state government and security agencies to restore peace and safeguard lives and property.
