Dauda Lawal, governor of Zamfara State, on Friday met with heads of security agencies over the rising wave of bandit attacks across the state.
The emergency meeting was held at the Government House in Gusau, the state capital.
The development follows a series of violent incidents in recent days. On February 21, more than 50 people were reportedly killed in coordinated attacks by bandits in Anka and Bukuyum local government areas. Two days later, armed men abducted several villagers and rustled an unspecified number of cattle during an assault on Kuya village in Bungudu LGA.
On Wednesday, an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated along the Gusau–Funtua highway. No casualties were recorded in the incident.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Sulaiman Idris, spokesperson to the governor, said the meeting was convened following credible intelligence reports indicating that IEDs had been planted along certain highways in the state.
According to Idris, the governor directed security chiefs to urgently reassess the existing security architecture and develop a practical and clearly defined operational framework to curb the escalating threats.
“The meeting underscores the shared commitment and collective responsibility of the state government and security agencies to safeguard lives and property in Zamfara State,” the statement said.
Lawal also urged security commanders to heighten vigilance, strengthen intelligence gathering, and implement immediate, coordinated countermeasures.
The governor further commiserated with families of victims of the attacks and expressed sympathy to security agencies over the loss of personnel who died in the line of duty.
