Politics

With Just My Phone, I Can Track Bandits’ Hideouts – Zamfara Gov Dauda Lawal

Published by Akinwale Fakinlede on September 4th, 2025.

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has declared that technology can play a decisive role in the ongoing battle against banditry, revealing that he has the capacity to track criminal hideouts with nothing more than his phone.

Speaking during a recent interview, Lawal said insecurity in Zamfara and other parts of the North has been prolonged largely due to a lack of political will and poor coordination, not the absence of intelligence. He stressed that the tools needed to dismantle criminal networks are already available but often underutilized.

“With my phone, I can show you exactly where the bandits are hiding. The information is there, but the question is whether we are willing to act on it,” the governor asserted.

Zamfara, one of the states worst hit by bandit attacks, has witnessed years of mass abductions, killings, and destruction of villages. Despite several military operations, the menace persists, raising questions about gaps in strategy and leadership.

Lawal criticized the handling of intelligence reports, noting that accurate information about bandits’ camps and movement is routinely ignored. He maintained that technology—through satellite mapping, mobile data, and other digital tools—can expose hideouts and track the movement of criminal gangs in real time.

The governor’s comments underscore growing frustration among residents who feel trapped between promises of security and recurring attacks. His remarks may also intensify pressure on security agencies to collaborate more effectively with state governments and leverage modern intelligence tools to end the crisis.

Observers say Lawal’s bold statement reflects a shift in tone, signaling his readiness to confront not only the bandits but also entrenched systems that profit from the chaos. Whether his technological approach will be integrated into a broader national strategy remains to be seen.

For now, Zamfara citizens are watching closely, hoping that the governor’s confidence in digital intelligence will translate into real action—a

nd lasting peace.