Dauda Lawal, Governor of Zamfara State has dismissed concerns that inadequate funding could undermine the proposed state police system, arguing that state governments already finance about 95 per cent of policing operations in their territories. He said the new arrangement would strengthen security by giving governors operational command while making them directly accountable for the safety of their states.
Lawal also reaffirmed his administration’s refusal to negotiate with armed bandits, insisting that security is a collective responsibility.
He argued that concerns over funding for proposed state police are misplaced because state governments already shoulder the bulk of policing costs.
Lawal spoke on Thursday at the ARISE News Town Hall on Building a National Consensus for State Police and National Security, where governors, security chiefs and experts examined the proposed establishment of state police as part of efforts to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
The governor said his position against negotiating with criminal groups had remained unchanged since assuming office.
