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Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has warned that negotiating peace with armed groups while allowing them to retain their weapons undermines state authority and delays lasting stability.
Lawal stated this on Wednesday during a lecture at the National Institute for Security Studies, NISS, in Abuja, where he addressed participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course, EIMC, 18 on the theme, “Non-state Actors in Security Management: Issues, Challenges, and Prospects for Peace and Development in Africa – A Zamfara State Perspective.”
He cautioned against unregulated peace deals in the North-West, stressing that dialogue must go hand in hand with disarmament and reconciliation.
“Allowing armed groups to keep their weapons while setting peace terms simply delays violence and compromises state sovereignty,” the governor said.
Lawal outlined his administration’s security approach, which includes strengthening coordination among security agencies through a unified State Security Council, creating Community Protection Guards, CPG, and improving intelligence sharing between local institutions and law enforcement.
He said peace committees have also been established in all local government areas to mediate conflicts, rebuild trust, and promote community participation in security efforts.
According to him, the state’s security challenges stem from economic deprivation, arms proliferation, weak traditional structures, and youth unemployment.
Lawal added that Zamfara is collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser and international partners, including Colombia, on programmes aimed at preventing and countering violent extremism.
Dialogue with bandits undermines state authority – Zamfara gov
