Governor Lawal warns bandits to unconditionally surrender their weapons before it is too late
By: Zagazola Makama
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to defeating banditry in the Northwest, urging armed groups to unconditionally surrender their weapons before it is too late.
The governor stated this on Thursday while handing over a state-provided facility to serve as the Northwest Headquarters of Operation Safe Corridor, a Federal Government initiative aimed at disarming, deradicalizing, and reintegrating repentant bandits into society.
A statement by Sulaiman Bala Idris, the governor’s spokesperson, said the initiative is modeled after the Operation Safe Corridor program in the Northeast, which successfully reintegrated former Boko Haram fighters.
“The Northwest program seeks to offer a structured exit for individuals involved in banditry,” the statement read. “The initiative will involve vocational training, psychological support, and ideological reorientation to ensure effective reintegration.”
Government’s Commitment to Ending Banditry
Speaking at the event, Governor Lawal assured that his administration would continue to support both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to tackling insecurity in the region.
“I wish to restate once more the commitment of our administration to take the fight to the bandits’ enclaves until they are effectively routed, decimated, and dominated,” he said.
“But for those willing to surrender their arms unconditionally, they are free to do so. Establishing the Operation Safe Corridor Headquarters in Zamfara will allow for the Disarmament, Deradicalization, and Reintegration of repentant bandits into society.”
Governor Lawal expressed gratitude to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, for approving Zamfara as the location for the third Operation Safe Corridor center in the country. He also commended Major General E.V. Onumajuru, the Chairman of the Northwest Implementation Committee, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their continued support to security agencies operating in the state.
The governor described the initiative as the birth of the “Zamfara Model” on DDDRRR— Demobilization, Disengagement, Deradicalization, Rehabilitation, Reconciliation, and Reintegration.
Military Pledges Continued Engagement
Earlier, Major General Onumajuru, who represented the Chief of Defence Staff, applauded Governor Lawal for his logistical and moral support to security forces in Zamfara.
“Operation Safe Corridor is a non-kinetic line of operation and serves as a pathway to peace and reintegration,” he said. “After taking over this facility, we will continue to engage His Excellency and the people of Zamfara, who are essential stakeholders in this project, to ensure synergy and cooperation.”
The event marks a major step in the fight against banditry in the Northwest, offering an alternative disarmament and reintegration pathway while maintaining military pressure on unrepentant criminal elements.
