Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has cautioned that holding peace talks with armed bandits while they still possess weapons weakens government authority and slows down long-term security efforts. He said peace must not come at the cost of state power or public trust. Lawal made the remarks during a lecture at the National Institute for Security Studies in Abuja.

Speaking to participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course, the governor stressed that any dialogue with armed groups should only happen alongside complete disarmament and reintegration plans. According to him, negotiating without removing weapons encourages future violence and gives criminal groups a sense of legitimacy. He stated that true peace requires strong state control and firm security structures.

Governor Lawal explained that his administration has developed a coordinated strategy to fight insecurity in Zamfara. The plan includes creating a unified State Security Council, improving intelligence cooperation, and deploying Community Protection Guards to support formal security agencies. Peace committees have also been set up across all local government areas to rebuild trust and help communities work with government forces.

The governor noted that insecurity in Zamfara is fueled by poverty, illegal arms flow, weak traditional leadership systems, and high youth unemployment. He emphasized that lasting peace must address these root causes through economic empowerment, better governance, and stronger community participation in security programs.

Lawal added that the state is partnering with the Office of the National Security Adviser and international stakeholders, including Colombia, on initiatives to prevent and counter violent extremism. He maintained that Zamfara will continue to pursue a balanced strategy built on intelligence, dialogue, and firm enforcement — but never at the expense of state authority or public safety.