Bungudu Attack: Zamfara Governor Lawal Reaffirms No-Negotiation Policy With Bandits

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has renewed his administration’s rejection of negotiations with bandits following a recent attack in Bungudu Local Government Area, assuring affected communities that efforts to restore security will continue.

The governor made the position known during a condolence visit to Bungudu, where he met traditional and community leaders as well as families affected by the latest violence.

Lawal’s visit came as residents continue to deal with the consequences of the attack, including deaths, injuries and abductions reported in the affected community.

According to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the governor began his visit at the palace of the Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Attahiru, where he expressed sympathy over the incident and conveyed condolences to the traditional institution and affected residents.

Lawal: Government will not negotiate with criminal groups

At the centre of the governor’s message was a reaffirmation of his administration’s security policy.

Lawal said his government would not negotiate with bandits and would instead continue to deploy available resources toward restoring security across Zamfara.

The governor also appealed for patience from residents, describing the security situation as a difficult and sensitive challenge that requires sustained effort.

He assured families whose relatives were injured or abducted that the government would continue supporting them while working toward the safe recovery of those still being held.

Lawal also offered prayers for those who died in the attack and extended condolences to their families.

Emir of Bungudu backs government’s security efforts

The Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Attahiru, thanked the governor for visiting the community and commended the state government’s efforts to confront insecurity.

The traditional ruler expressed optimism that the persistent threat posed by banditry could eventually be overcome.

The governor subsequently visited the family of the late Alhaji Bello Umar Bungudu and other households affected by the attack as part of his condolence programme.

Why Zamfara’s no-negotiation position matters

Lawal’s latest declaration is not a new policy direction for his administration. Since taking office, his government has repeatedly maintained that it would not pursue negotiations with armed criminal groups as its strategy for ending banditry.

In September 2023, the Zamfara State Government publicly questioned reports of negotiations involving bandit groups and said the administration had adopted a different approach from previous attempts at dialogue.

The governor reiterated the same position in September 2024, when the state government rejected claims that it had approved funds for negotiations and rehabilitation of bandits. At the time, officials argued that previous dialogue efforts had failed to produce lasting security.

The position was again publicly reinforced in February 2025 after controversy surrounding the interpretation of an interview involving the governor. The state government clarified that Lawal’s administration remained opposed to negotiating with bandits.

More recently, in July 2026, Lawal again declared that his administration would not negotiate with bandits and said security operations would continue until criminal elements surrendered or faced the law.

The bigger security challenge in Zamfara

Zamfara remains one of the states most affected by banditry and kidnapping in north-western Nigeria. The crisis has repeatedly disrupted rural communities, affected livelihoods and created significant pressure on state and federal security agencies.

The scale of the challenge has also required cooperation between the Zamfara Government and federal authorities. In March 2024, Lawal met President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to discuss the security situation and called for additional military personnel, equipment and air support for operations in the state.

The state government has also promoted community-level security initiatives and increased cooperation with security agencies as part of its broader response to criminal activity.

What happens next?

For residents of Bungudu and surrounding communities, the immediate priority remains the protection of lives and the safe recovery of people abducted during attacks.

The governor’s latest visit also places renewed attention on the need for sustained security operations rather than short-term responses after individual attacks.

Whether the administration’s strategy can produce lasting improvements will ultimately depend on the effectiveness of security operations, intelligence gathering, protection of vulnerable communities and the ability of authorities to prevent further attacks.

For families affected by the Bungudu incident, however, the most pressing issue remains the return of their loved ones and the restoration of enough security for normal community life to resume.

Key takeaway

Governor Dauda Lawal has once again made clear that his administration will not adopt negotiations with bandits as its preferred route to peace. Following the latest Bungudu attack, the governor has combined that position with a pledge to support affected families and intensify efforts to improve security across Zamfara.

The coming weeks will show whether the renewed security push can translate into greater protection for communities facing continued threats.