Bungudu attack: ‘We’ll never negotiate with bandits’ — Zamfara Gov

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has reaffirmed his administration’s resolve not to negotiate with or yield to criminal groups as part of efforts to tackle banditry in the state.

Lawal made the pledge on Thursday during a condolence visit to Bungudu Local Government Area, where he sympathised with families and residents affected by a recent bandit attack.

The governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, disclosed details of the visit in a statement, saying Lawal first visited the palace of the Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Attahiru, to commiserate with the traditional ruler and the affected community.

According to the governor, the state government remains committed to deploying all necessary resources to restore peace and improve security across Zamfara.

Lawal urged residents to remain patient, describing the security situation as a sensitive challenge requiring perseverance, while assuring families of those injured and abducted that the government would continue to provide support and intensify efforts to secure the safe return of victims.

He also prayed for those who lost their lives in the attack and condoled with their families.

Responding, the Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Attahiru, commended the governor’s efforts to address insecurity, expressing confidence that banditry would eventually be overcome.

The governor also visited the family of the late Alhaji Bello Umar Bungudu and other families affected by the attack to offer his condolences.