EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Air Force Officer Faults Zamfara Governor On Fight Against Terrorism, Banditry

A retired Air Force officer, Sodeeq Shehu, has faulted Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, over his claim that he could end banditry in the state within two months if given direct control of security forces. …Read Full Article.. .

Governor Lawal, in an earlier interview, had lamented that despite having intelligence on the exact locations of bandits, even to the point of being able to track them on his phone, he is powerless because directives can only come from Abuja.

“I swear to God, wherever bandits are, I know. I can show you on the phone wherever they are. But we can do nothing. If I am the one in power to give a directive, I swear the issue will come to an end in two months.

“But as governor, I can only provide vehicles and support. The operatives won’t act until they get directives from Abuja,” Lawal said, adding that he had even shed tears in frustration.

Responding, Shehu, who spoke on
Channels TV, said the governor’s remarks reflect a simplistic view of modern military operations.

He argued that knowing the location of criminals does not automatically translate into an easy operation, particularly because bandits often operate within civilian populations.

“With due respect to the governor, what he’s suggesting is like fighting a war by preconception. Before a war starts, you think you know how it will end. But reality is different.

“Even if you know where the bandits are, you cannot just bomb them. These criminals mix with local populations. If you strike without precision, you risk killing civilians,” Shehu stated.

The retired officer cited the terrain of the North-West and North-Central regions as a major challenge, stressing that there are very few areas—such as Sambisa Forest or parts of the Lake Chad Basin where military forces can strike without the risk of collateral damage.

He gave a scenario: “If you say bandits have entered a village with 10,000 people, you cannot order airstrikes there.

“That would be unprofessional and inhumane. However, if 50 bandits enter a farm and only one farmer is present, international law accepts that a strike could be proportionate. That’s how these operations work.”

Shehu further warned that indiscriminate bombing could alienate Nigeria from international partners and limit access to critical weapons.

He drew on the example of the U.S. Navy SEALs’ operation against Osama bin Laden, noting that even in targeting high-value terrorists, operations were carefully calibrated to minimise civilian casualties.

“When the Americans went after Osama bin Laden, they did not destroy an entire city. It was a surgical strike. Even though he was killed, it was done with precision. That is how modern counterterrorism works,” he added.

He also noted that Governor Lawal’s comments may be coloured by his political differences with his predecessor, Bello Matawalle, who is now a federal minister, though he declined to delve into political disputes.

Pressed further on what measures he would prioritise if he were president, Shehu said Nigeria must go beyond rhetoric and declare a genuine state of emergency on insecurity.

“Declaring an emergency should not just be a cliché. It must mean that every impediment to getting resources for the armed forces is lifted. Security should become the absolute priority of the government, even if it means telling other sectors to wait. That’s how you focus on a crisis of this magnitude,” he insisted.

The retired officer maintained that defeating banditry requires more than political pronouncements, urging Nigerians to understand the complexities of the war and the professional standards ,and..  Read . .More —