GOVERNOR LAWAL WARNS AGAINST PEACE DEALS THAT LET ARMED GROUPS KEEP WEAPONS
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
Governor Dauda Lawal has warned that peace talks allowing armed groups to keep their weapons only delay violence and weaken state authority.
Speaking at the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) in Abuja, he said real peace requires disarmament and strong government control.
Lawal explained that Zamfara’s insecurity comes from poverty, unemployment, weak law enforcement, and the spread of illegal arms. His administration, he noted, is improving coordination among security agencies, community involvement, and intelligence sharing.
He cautioned against “unregulated peace deals” in the North-West, stressing that peace without control amounts to surrender.
“Allowing armed groups to keep their weapons while setting peace terms only delays violence and erodes state sovereignty,” he said.