Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, is under intense scrutiny after a video went viral showing him admit that he knows where bandits operate in the state but says he cannot stop them.

In the clip, which does not have a clear date, the governor spoke in Hausa and sparked anger among politicians and security officials.

He explained that even though he provided 150 vehicles for security agencies in Zamfara, he cannot control how they are used, as instructions come only from Abuja.

Lawal also claimed he can monitor bandits’ movements using available devices and insisted that if he had direct control over security forces, the crisis could end in just two months.

Experts have criticized his comments, calling them careless and self-incriminating. This reaction comes despite the state receiving millions in monthly funds meant for security.

Many argue that a governor with both financial resources and legal powers should not claim helplessness while violence continues in the state.

Insiders say the governor’s remarks have shaken confidence in the government’s top levels. “This is not only irresponsible, it insults Nigerians and security forces.

The governor has received huge security funding, yet he goes on video claiming he is powerless. This is unacceptable,” a source said.

Critics also suggest that Lawal’s admission about knowing the bandits’ locations but not sharing the information with the National Security Adviser, DSS, or the military is worrying.

“If the governor truly knows where these criminals are and has not shared it, he must bear the blame for every life lost. He cannot take security funds and benefits while telling villagers he cannot help them,” the source added.

Government data shows that Zamfara remains the center of bandit attacks in Nigeria, with rural communities regularly raided.

For instance, on August 23, armed men attacked Gamdum Mallam and Ruwan Rana villages in Bukkuyum Local Government Area, killing two and abducting over 100 people.

Earlier in the month, another attack in Kauran Namoda left 24 dead, 16 injured, and 144 kidnapped. These incidents have left residents pleading for protection, feeling vulnerable to repeated attacks.

Dr. Usman Shehu, a researcher on violent conflicts from Kaduna, described the governor’s comments as “reckless at best and complicit at worst.”

He said, “When a governor says he knows where criminals are but cannot act, he weakens both the law and the confidence of security personnel.”