Category Nigeria News

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has explained why security has improved in the state, attributing it to a deliberate refusal to negotiate with bandits, the creation of community protection guards, and increased support for security agencies.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Governor Lawal explained that his administration inherited a deeply insecure environment rooted in more than a decade of violent conflict and banditry.

“Insecurity is something I inherited in Zamfara State for the past 13 years. Upon resumption of office, one of the first things I did was to establish the Community Protection Guards, which cut across all the 14 local governments in Zamfara.

“We carefully selected individuals based on full security clearance by the DSS. They were trained to be the first line of defence, and they now work hand in hand with the conventional security agencies to fight banditry in the state.”

No Negotiations

Rejecting the idea of negotiations with criminal elements, Governor Lawal maintained a hardline stance; he had declared in February.

“We refused to negotiate with criminals because I do not believe that is the way forward,” he stated. “However, anybody who wishes to surrender unconditionally is welcome to do so—but not under any terms.”

READ ALSO: Zamfara Earns Nothing From Solid Minerals – Gov Lawal

According to the governor, his administration has invested heavily in logistics and operational support for security forces, which he said has already begun to yield results.

“You don’t hear the kind of rampant attacks that used to happen in the past, where almost daily you’d hear that 200 people were killed. Yes, there may still be pockets of attacks here and there, but the security situation in Zamfara has improved drastically based on the measures we’ve put in place,” he noted.

‘Criminals Under Pressure’

Lawal revealed that the state has successfully intercepted arms and ammunition being transported into Zamfara from other states.

“Almost on a weekly basis, we intercept these couriers—coming from Port Harcourt, Plateau, and Nasarawa—and it’s working.

“These criminals are under a lot of pressure as we speak. Just yesterday (Tuesday), in order to support mobility, we donated 140 brand-new vehicles to all the security agencies operating in the state,” he said.

On the controversial issue of communities paying levies to bandits in exchange for protection, Lawal admitted the situation had previously existed but insisted that extortion by bandits had significantly declined.

Community Policing

He acknowledged imperfections in the system, particularly in the operations of community guards, but assured that accountability measures were being enforced.

Lawal said, “It would be difficult to say that every area is fully covered, but no, it’s not as easy as it used to be for the criminals. The payments have reduced drastically, and that’s because of the efforts and systems we’ve put in place.

“There will always be challenges,” he admitted. “These guards live within the communities and understand the terrain better than the conventional security. While that helps, we are also vigilant.

“Any community guard member caught in extrajudicial killings will be brought to book. Some have been dismissed, some are still in court, and others are in prison pending the outcome of their cases. We are not covering up for anyone.”

Governor Lawal also highlighted efforts to address insecurity at the regional level through collaborative governance among northern governors.

“Northern governors are disturbed by the presence of these criminal elements. We met last Sunday and discussed a framework that will unify our efforts in tackling insecurity, poverty, and banditry.

“We realised that disjointed responses are not effective. We’ll meet again in two weeks to finalise a collective action plan. Whatever Zamfara is doing, Sokoto should be able to replicate, and vice versa,” he said.

Zamfara State has endured severe security challenges over the past decade, with periods marked by rampant banditry, mass killings, and kidnappings.

In early 2022, under Governor Bello Matawalle’s administration, over 200 were killed in a single attack, one of the deadliest in recent Nigerian history.

The Oyo State Government has approved the sum of ₦4.5 billion as financial support to the survivors and victims of the Bodija explosion which occurred on January 16, 2024.

This decision was taken at the ongoing Executive Council meeting at the Executive Chambers of the Governor’s office.

According to a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, this is apart from the over ₦200 million that the state government had expended on accommodation, feeding, hospital and security bills following the tragic incident.

He said that the Council also approved the recommendation of the 10-man committee to revoke the title of two properties off Adeyi Avenue, scene of the explosion, in the overall interest of the public and that the government should build a monument on the location of the revoked land in memory of victims of the tragedy.

READ ALSO: Fire Guts Bodija Plank Market In Ibadan

“The Council frowned at the spate of disinformation, half-truths and mischievous lies being peddled by persons purportedly representing the Residents on the role which the State Government has played in the Bodija explosion saga.

“Council said such insinuations are unfair and mischievous and the Government will not be discouraged in taking its time to do what is just for her citizens.

The Commissioner said some beneficiaries are engaged in family disputes which required painstaking intervention of the 10-man committee.

He noted that the government will also return to the owners, other properties adjoining ground zero to rebuild their homes at the advice of government paid structural engineers.

According to the Commissioner, the government will, through the Ministry of Justice, ensure effective prosecution of the suspects so far arraigned in court, while efforts are being intensified to apprehend other suspects linked to the case but at large.

He said that during the Executive session,Governor Seyi Makinde advised the citizens to discountenance any rumour concerning the current cabinet reshuffling.

He stated that the governor said he took the decision to discourage ministerial complacency and to assure the people that he plans to end the tenure of his administration in 2027 with the same zeal with which he started in 2019.

According to the Commissioner for Information, the Governor said he does not plan to drop any member of his cabinet except anyone who is found to be distracted.

The South-East Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has threatened to review its relationship with the party if its recommendation of Sunday Ude-Okoye as national secretary is not honoured.

The body made this known at the end of its meeting held at the government house, Enugu, the capital of Enugu State on Wednesday.  

While reading out the communique, the zonal chairman, Ali Odefa, said that the South-East has consistently served as a stronghold of the PDP with unalloyed loyalty to the party since inception and even as members in other regions continue to defect.

The group also want the National Working Committee to uphold its decision and ensure that the Deputy National Secretary of the PDP functions as the Acting National Secretary pending the ratification of the nominee for the Office of the National Secretary by NEC in line with the recommendations of the PDP Governors’ Forum as adopted by the NWC.

READ ALSO: Bode George Backs PDP BoT’s Support For Ude-Okoye As National Secretary

“The South East ZEC exhaustively deliberated on the directive of the NWC and came to the conclusion that it offered a sure pathway to peace, unity, stability, and progress of our party. Consequently, the ZEC unanimously recommended Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the candidate to complete the term of office of the National Secretary.”

The South-East caucus threatened to reconsider its continued membership in the party if its position is further delayed, despite its longstanding loyalty to the PDP.

“The South East has consistently served as a stronghold of the PDP from inception. In PDP’s near three-decade existence, we have given our loyalty and all to the party.

“Currently, while the party has been losing key members post-2023 general elections, the South East PDP is at the vanguard of strengthening the Party by rallying major opposition figures such as in Enugu where the Labour Party, LP, gubernatorial candidate, two LP House of Representatives Members, numerous members of the House of Assembly, among other stalwarts into the PDP fold.

“Therefore, we hope that this time around, the position of the South East PDP regarding the Office of the National Secretary is accorded the honour and immediacy it deserves. This would bring to a closure to the needless lingering dispute over the matter.

“However, in the event that our position is not promptly implemented by the Party, the South East PDP, as a family, will be compelled to reconsider our relationship with the PDP going forward,” the communique concluded.

The governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, has expressed regret that, despite the state’s abundant deposits of solid minerals, it is currently not generating any revenue from them.

However, he noted that the Federal Government’s lifting of the ban on solid minerals has given him the opportunity to engage with investors who can help develop the sector and boost the state’s revenue.

“I am happy now that the Federal Government has lifted the ban on solid minerals and if you follow the trend, just last month we had a meeting with some private sector that has investment in Zamfara State,” Governor Lawal said on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.

“That is exactly what we are doing now to try to bring the private sector to invest in the solid minerals aspect in collaboration with the state government as well as the Federal Government and if that works out well, it means additional revenue for Zamfara State as well as the Federal Government.

“But as we speak now, there is no single revenue as far as solid minerals are concerned that is coming to Zamfara State which is unfortunate.”

The governor is optimistic that once investments in solid minerals begin to yield results, Zamfara will no longer need to rely on allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to cover its expenses.

READ ALSO: Troops Kill Five Bandit Leaders In Zamfara, Recover Weapons

“And part of what I am doing now under my administration is to really look at this holistically and begin to put all the mechanisms in place and bring investors in Zamfara State that will be able to invest in solid minerals.

“By the time we do that I don’t think we will be relying on FAAC anymore, we will be more than comfortable so as to develop Zamfara State and move the state forward,” he said.

‘Security has improved’

Zamfara is one of the states that have been battling insecurity in the northern part of Nigeria over the years, but Governor Lawal said he has been able to improve security in the state in the last two years. 

He said that upon assuming office, he established Community Protection Guards in all the Local Government Areas, who have been working alongside conventional security agencies to combat banditry in the state.

The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the South West Development Commission (SWDC).

He also thanked him for appointing people of impeccable character to run the commission’s affairs for the stipulated time.

The Ooni, who is also the Permanent Chairman, Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), commended the President on the nomination of Charles ‘Diji Akinola as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SWDC, describing it a visionary choice and a historic turning point for the region’ s developmental trajectory.

In a statement by the Director, Media & Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, on Wednesday, the monarch described Akinola as an outstanding technocrat with an impressive pedigree and passionate commitment to regional and national development.

“Ooni Ogunwusi equally commends the President on the excellent choice of Senator Olu Adetunmbi, a development expert, as the chairman and other members of the Board, including a distinguished Ife daughter, Princess Nike Omoworare, Bolaji Ariyo, Joseph Olugbenga, Olumuyiwa Olabimtan, Adewinle Martins, Ibrahim Olaifa, Kabiru Lakwaya, Abdul Adamu a retired general, Arinola Fagbemi, Ukoha Onyekwere, Howell Ihenacho, Olugbenga Olufehinti, Tele Ogunjobi, Funmilayo Tejuosho, Fatai Ibikunle and Lateef Ajijola saying all the appointees are round pegs for the round holes,” the state read.

While lauding the appointment of two illustrious citizens of Osun State: Charles Akindiji Akinola and Mrs. Nike Omoworare, to executive positions within the newly inaugurated commission, the Ooni described Akinola as a seasoned development expert with impressive public service experience as former chief of staff to the governor of Osun State.

READ ALSO: Tinubu Signs South-West, South-South Commission Bills Into Law

He, however, advised the MD to let his extensive experience in public-private partnerships, rural enterprise development, and international development cooperation positions speak for him to lead the Commission in addressing the infrastructural and socio-economic challenges of the South West region.

The Ooni emphasised that the appointments reflect President Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive governance and the upliftment of the South-West region.

He expressed confidence that the leadership of the SWDC would work diligently to fulfill its mandate of addressing infrastructural deficits, ecological challenges, security gaps and promoting sustainable development in the region.

The monarch further urged them to approach their new responsibilities with integrity, dedication, and a focus on delivering tangible benefits to the people of the South-West.

“Ooni Ogunwusi, the Permanent Chairman, Osun state Council of Obas and chiefs also calls upon all stakeholders, including traditional institutions, state governments, and civil society organisations, to support the SWDC in its mission to transform the South West into a hub of economic prosperity and cultural renaissance assuring the entire South Westerners that Dr Akinola and his team will approach their new responsibilities with integrity, dedication, and a focus on delivering tangible benefits to the people of the South West,” the statement added.

In March 2025, Tinubu assented to the South-West Development Commission Bill and the South-South Development Commission Bill.

The Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Basheer Lado, who made this known in a statement, noted that the legislation reflected Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive governance, equitable progress, and Nigeria’s emergence as a global powerhouse.

On May 8, the President formally requested the Senate’s confirmation of appointees to lead the South West, North Central, and South South development commissions.

In a correspondence to the Senate, Tinubu nominated a total of 55 individuals across the three commissions.

Brazilian state oil company, Petrobras, is seeking a return to Nigeria’s oil sector with a renewed focus on frontier deepwater exploration as part of efforts to strengthen ties between both countries.

In a statement on Wednesday, Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications, announced that the development came during an interministerial review meeting.

The meeting, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, was held to prepare for the second session of the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM) in June 2025.

Petrobras had previously wound down its Nigerian operations at the Agbami Field, but with renewed economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu, the company is now actively engaging Nigerian authorities as it eyes fresh investment opportunities.

Speaking at the session, Vice President Shettima underscored the strategic importance of Nigeria’s relationship with Brazil, especially as Brazil prepares to host a series of global summits this year.

“The presence of six ministers and the Solicitor-General of the Federation in this review meeting ahead of the second session of the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism shows the importance we have attached to our relationship with Brazil.

“We have not maximally capitalised on the fraternity between us and Brazil, but it is better late than never. The upcoming SDM presents an opportunity to execute sector-specific Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and unlock investment flows,” Shettima said.

READ ALSO: Nigeria Needs $10bn Yearly To Achieve Stable Power Supply – Minister

Highlighting the significance of 2025 as a pivotal year for global diplomacy, Shettima said, “This year is our moment of interface with Brazil. Brazil is hosting so many global events this year – from the BRICS Summit to the G20 Summit and COP30. This convergence of events provides us with a unique opportunity to advance our interests on the global stage.”

The Vice President also commended the ministers for their renewed vigour and patriotic commitment, stating that “there is a sea change in our attitude, disposition, and commitment.”

Petrobras Reengages

Providing further insight into Petrobras’ return, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, confirmed ongoing discussions with the company.

“Apart from ethanol, which they are hoping to engage the NNPCL for blending, Petrobras is also being actively engaged, and we expect they will form part of the delegation to Nigeria,” Tuggar said.

“Petrobras is no longer active in Nigeria, but they are very keen on coming back. They said they want frontier acreage in deep waters.”

Tuggar added that Brazil’s own preparations for the 2025 SDM are well underway, with both governmental and private sector entities actively mobilised by Brazil’s Vice President.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is coordinating Nigeria’s interministerial working groups, has compiled 12 draft MOUs awaiting approval by the Ministry of Justice. The draft agreements span key sectors including energy, health, culture, and agriculture.

Sectoral Collaboration Expands

Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, spoke on the shared heritage between both countries.

“We must not only preserve this relationship but deepen it. We’ve finalised MOUs with the Nigerian Film Corporation on audiovisual co-productions, the National Gallery of Arts for joint exhibitions, and the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation ahead of FESTAC at 50 next year,” Musawa stated.

In the agricultural sector, Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari, announced that MOUs had been concluded on key research collaborations.

“We have finalised MOUs that focus on research in three areas: soybean value chain development, cassava research and technology transfer, and agro-forestry systems, which promote integrated crop-livestock models and climate adaptation,” Kyari explained.

These efforts, he noted, build upon the Green Imperative Project (GIP) – an earlier agricultural cooperation initiative between Nigeria and Brazil.

On the health front, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, pointed to Brazil as a model for Nigeria’s ambitions in achieving universal health coverage.

“There are important opportunities for us in several areas in our efforts to achieve universal health coverage and primary health care between Nigeria and Brazil. They have done a lot that we can learn from,” said Pate.

“We see potential for collaboration in pharmaceutical research, local drug manufacturing, and workforce training. Brazil’s experience in addressing tropical and sub-tropical diseases makes it an ideal partner for joint research and development.”