Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, on Tuesday, said contrary to media reports, people were not abducted by bandits in the Maradun Local Government Area of the state.
Reports emerged that gunmen kidnapped more than 50 women and children in a raid on Kakin Dawa village, with the State Police Command saying more operatives had been deployed to the area.
Two days after the incident, Lawal, a Channels Television’s Politics Today guest, described the news as false and inaccurate.
“I am not aware of that incident. I am here in Zamfara State; I haven’t heard about that incident,” he said.
“I am not aware that 50 people were kidnapped by the Maradun Local Government. Whoever gave you that information is not correct.”
The governor stated that the state government works closely with the police, military, and other security agencies to tackle state insecurity.
He explained that the collaboration has paid off as kidnapping incidents have drastically reduced.
According to Lawal, the North-Western state has not recorded any kidnapping incident in the last six months.
“There may be such pockets of kidnapping here and there that I can’t rule. These and all the measures put in place are not what they used to be—in the past, hardly a day passed by without hearing that 300 people were being killed.
“Within the last six months, I don’t think any such incident has been reported in Zamfara State. Insecurity is there, but we are making conscious efforts to make sure that we handle that to the best of our ability,” he added.
The governor rejected the idea when asked if his administration would consider negotiating with bandits.
He said the Zamfara State Government is not in any rush to strike a deal with the militants so that peace can reign.
“My position has always been apparent regarding negotiation and bargaining with these bandits.
“I am not in a rush to negotiate with these people. I am not going to negotiate with any bandit. That has always been my stand. I believe you can only negotiate at a point of strength and not as a point of weakness,” the governor added.
The governor also weighed in on the controversial tax reform bills before the National Assembly.
Lawal noted that some less financially buoyant states may not survive if President Bola Tinubu passes and signs the tax reform bills.
“Some states may not be able to survive, so it must be carefully studied so that we don’t hurt ourselves in the long run.
“Well, the tax issue has a lot of components – there is the good aspect and the bad aspect. So, we are studying the situation to advise our people on the way forward. It’s an ongoing process, and we will continue with the engagement,” he said.
The new tax bills introduced by the Tinubu administration have been enveloped in widespread controversy. They have sparked criticism and stiff opposition from many, including the 36 state governors under the aegis of the National Economic Council (NEC). The 19 governors in northern Nigeria have also unequivocally rejected sections of the bills.
