# Zamfara State governance and security developments

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/zamfara-state-governance-and-security-developments
> Updated: 2026-10-05T07:12:31.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2.

Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has addressed internal political dissatisfaction and ongoing security challenges within the state.

Regarding governance, Lawal urged political appointees who feel neglected by his administration to resign. He defended his administration’s focus on infrastructure, noting that over N20 billion has been spent on projects across 14 local government areas. To address complaints regarding a lack of transparency, he promised to make the names of contract recipients public.

On security, Lawal reaffirmed his refusal to pay ransoms to kidnappers, a policy he maintained even following the 2025 abduction of his brothers. To combat banditry, the state has deployed approximately 3,000 Community Protection Guards to assist military and police forces. Additionally, the administration is collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser on a programme to reintegrate repentant bandits. To support these efforts, Lawal launched a 95km road construction project in the Tsafe Local Government Area intended to improve economic activity and security response times.

## Claims

- Governor Dauda Lawal refuses to pay ransoms to kidnappers to avoid empowering criminal groups. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Governor refused to pay a ₦150,000 recharge card demand following the abduction of his brothers, Yusuf and Amba. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Zamfara State has deployed approximately 3,000 Community Protection Guards to support security forces. (single source)
- The state government is constructing a 95km road network in Tsafe Local Government Area to improve security mobility. (single source)
- The state is working with the Office of the National Security Adviser on a safe-corridor programme for repentant bandits. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-05: Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal rejects ransom payments and flags off road project

Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal has rejected ransom payments to kidnappers and launched a 95km road project in Tsafe to improve security mobility and economic growth.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zamfara-governor-dauda-lawal-rejects-ransom-payments-and-flags-off-road-project

### 2026-10-03: Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal urges dissatisfied appointees to resign

Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal has urged political appointees who feel underserved by his administration to resign, citing a focus on infrastructure over individual welfare.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zamfara-governor-dauda-lawal-urges-dissatisfied-appointees-to-resign

---
Cite as: Zamfara State governance and security developments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/zamfara-state-governance-and-security-developments