Zamfara Community Guards: A Local Solution to a Decade-Long Security Challenge

Governor Dauda Lawal has recently established the Zamfara Community Protection Guards.

This initiative aims to empower local communities to address their specific security concerns, while working in collaboration with the military, police, and other security agencies.

The formation of these guards comes in response to the growing need for states to have more control over their security structures, as well as the limitations faced by governors who are designated as chief security officers of their states but lack control over the military and police.

Governor Lawal explained that the guards underwent extensive training by both the military and police, and were recruited from their respective local governments.

This ensures that they are familiar with the terrain and have an advantage over security forces in understanding the local dynamics of the communities they serve.

Despite facing criticism and allegations of extrajudicial killings, Governor Lawal maintains that the guards have been effective in addressing the issue of banditry, which has plagued the state for over a decade.

He acknowledges that there have been challenges in implementing the new initiative but assures that these are being addressed regularly to improve effectiveness.

When asked about the alignment of the Zamfara Community Protection Guards with the proponents of state police, Governor Lawal responded that the initiative is, in a way, a step towards that goal.

He believes that having people under local control, who understand the terrain and know those involved in criminal activities, is crucial in addressing the security challenges faced by the state.

As the Zamfara State government continues to fine-tune the Community Protection Guards initiative, it is hoped that this local solution will provide the much-needed relief to the communities affected by the decade-long security challenges.