Lawal said his administration was poised to bring an end to banditry in the state.
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – The Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, has inaugurated a 2,645-member State Community Protection Guards known as Askarawa Zamfara, which is tasked with addressing insecurity challenges in the state.
Speaking in Gusau during the launch of the security guard which was attended by Sokoto, Kebbi, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa governors, on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, Lawal said his administration was poised to bring an end to banditry in the state.
Admonishing members of the guard, Lawal promised to provide them with necessary support needed for the discharge of their duties and admonished them to be diligent in their duties.
He said, “The lofty goals we set out to achieve will remain a mirage as long as the formidable challenge of insecurity remains unaddressed. This informed our decision to, among other things, establish the Community Protection Guards, known as Askarawa Zamfara.
“The steering committee for establishing the Community Protection Guards traversed the 14 Local Government Areas and screened eligible volunteers for enrolment into the outfit.
“We believe that the bulk of the challenges we face as a state and region are borne out of severe neglect in advancing public policy to serve the socio-economic expectations of our people.
“We will never take for granted the message of the people of our state through their votes in March 2023.
“Today, therefore, the first batch of the Community Protection Guards, 2,645, are graduating.
“These young, energetic and vibrant personnel have undergone rigorous training, extensive drilling and an understanding of the rules of engagement, amongst other skills.
“These will assist them in the due discharge of their responsibility of partnering, assisting and working with the security agencies to defend our communities.”
In his remarks, Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State said the northwestern governors of Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano and Jigawa states would form a formidable force to tackle insecurity effectively.
“As the issue of banditry is increasing by the day, we the governors of the affected states in northwest zone will come together to fight the marauding bandits.
“It is high time we come together to find a lasting solution to banditry, which has claimed several lives while properties worth billions of Naira were destroyed.
“I am happy we are here in Zamfara State today for the launching of the state’s community protection guards and I am quite sure the remaining states would soon join,” he declared.