Why We Set Up Zamfara Community Guards – Gov Lawal

• Governor Lawal explains the establishment of Zamfara Community Protection Guards to bolster local security frameworks amid persistent banditry challenges
• Zamfara’s governor stresses the need for states to exert greater influence over security mechanisms, prompting community-centric approaches to address specific concerns

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has outlined the rationale behind establishing the Zamfara Community Protection Guards, asserting its necessity in bolstering local security frameworks.

The governor underscored the imperative for states to exert greater influence over security mechanisms, prompting the establishment of community-centric approaches to address area-specific security concerns.

Leading a delegation, Malam Kabiru A. Yusuf, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Ahmed Shekarau, the acting Group CEO/Editor-in-Chief (Print), convened to deliberate on the forthcoming regional security summit.

Governor Lawal expressed frustration over the existing security architecture, noting that while governors are designated as chief security officers, their efficacy is hampered by limited control over military and police operations.

“Banditry has plagued Zamfara for over a decade,” Governor Lawal lamented, highlighting the inherited challenge and the obstacles posed by the lack of operational autonomy.

To counter these hurdles, the Zamfara Community Protection Guards were meticulously constituted after rigorous training spanning three months, in collaboration with military, police, and traditional authorities.

Recruited from local communities, the guards possess intimate knowledge of the terrain, enhancing their operational effectiveness alongside security forces.

Governor Lawal acknowledged initial skepticism and challenges, including allegations of misconduct, but affirmed the guards’ efficacy and ongoing efforts to refine their operations.

Addressing comparisons with proposals for state police, Governor Lawal affirmed the alignment, emphasizing the imperative of localized control in combating criminal activities and fostering community engagement in security initiatives.