Zamfara won’t negotiate with bandits, says Gov Lawal,

Gov. Dauda Lawal of Zamfara says his administration will never negotiate with bandits but will sustain military operations until they surrender or face the full weight of the law.

The governor made the declaration through his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Mukhtar Musa, at 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 less privileged members of the association in Kaduna.

Musa said the Lawal administration remained committed to ending insecurity through sustained collaboration with security agencies across the state.

He said the government would continue providing logistics, equipment, ammunition and other operational support to security forces fighting criminal elements.

“The governor will never negotiate with bandits. Those willing to surrender should do so or face the law,” he said.

He said the government would continue the offensive against bandits until lasting peace was restored across Zamfara.

Musa said intelligence from residents remained critical to winning the fight against insecurity.

He urged citizens to promptly report suspicious movements and activities to security agencies for immediate action.

He assured members that the governor remained committed to delivering meaningful development and restoring peace across Zamfara.

Musa described the gathering as important, saying it reflected unity among Zamfara indigenes living outside their home state.

He commended the organisers for successfully establishing the association’s state secretariat in Kaduna.

He assured members that Gov. Lawal would visit the association in the future to further strengthen relations.

According to him, the governor is a progressive leader committed to supporting initiatives that promote unity and development among Zamfara indigenes.

Musa announced that the Zamfara Government would donate N5 million to support the association’s activities.

Earlier, the association’s Chairman, Alhaji Garba Balarabe, described the inauguration as a historic milestone for Zamfara indigenes residing in Kaduna.

He said the secretariat would serve as a centre for unity, coordination and welfare of members.

Balarabe said the association distributed 280 bags of 10kg rice, vegetable oil and spaghetti to less privileged members.

He appealed to the Zamfara Government to support the association in acquiring a permanent office in Kaduna.

The Chairman of the occasion, Zamfara Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Dr Abdulrahman Tumbido, praised the association’s humanitarian initiative.

Tumbido said many Zamfara indigenes had relocated to Kaduna due to insecurity in their home state.

He, however, expressed confidence that peace and security would soon return to Zamfara.

Also speaking, the National President of the Zamfara State Indigenes Association, Alhaji Usman Balarabe, called for greater unity among members wherever they reside.

He said the association would continue supporting women, children and other vulnerable groups.

Balarabe urged members to remain committed to the association’s objectives and programmes.

In her remarks, the association’s Ex-Officio, Hajiya Aishatu Maradun, pledged continued efforts to create better opportunities for members.

She appealed to the Zamfara Government to sustain support for programmes that would strengthen the association.

Also, Engr. Garba Abubakar, representing Engr. Abdullahi AbdulKarim Tsafe, inaugurated and formally launched the state secretariat.

Abubakar described the distribution of food items to vulnerable members as a commendable humanitarian gesture.

He recommended translating the association’s constitution into Hausa to enhance understanding among members.

According to him, the constitution will provide the necessary guide for effective administration of the association.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event attracted government officials, traditional rulers, politicians, community leaders and members of the association from Kaduna, Abuja and other parts of the country.