By: Daure David
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has voiced his frustration after a group of bandits, arrested for multiple killings and possession of illegal weapons, were unexpectedly granted bail by the Zamfara State High Court. The bandits had previously confessed to their crimes during interrogation, with some even revealing that they had contacts in Abuja who promised their release before the case would go to trial.
Addressing the press, Governor Lawal expressed his dismay at the court’s decision, emphasizing the gravity of the offenses committed by the suspects. “We arrested these criminals, and they confessed to the heinous acts they have carried out across our communities. The weapons they possessed are a threat to the safety of our people, and they must be held accountable for their actions,” said Lawal.
The bandits’ arrest had been hailed as a significant step in the state’s ongoing battle against the menace of banditry. However, Lawal’s remarks suggest that the release of the suspects on bail undermines the efforts of law enforcement and poses a challenge to the fight against insecurity in the region.
According to sources, the suspects were granted bail following a court hearing yesterday, despite the gravity of the charges against them. This move has sparked outrage among local residents and security personnel who had been hoping for a stronger legal stance on criminal activities in the state.
Governor Lawal called on the judiciary to review its stance on such cases, stressing the need for a more robust approach to dealing with the rising wave of violence in Zamfara and other northwestern states. He also alluded to possible political influence from Abuja, hinting that external factors may have played a role in the court’s decision to grant bail to the suspects.
The release of the bandits has raised serious concerns among residents, many of whom feel that the judicial system is failing to protect them from the growing threat of criminal gangs in the region.
“We are not safe,” one local resident said. “We want justice, not the release of criminals who have caused so much pain in our communities.”
As the situation continues to unfold, the Governor’s office has pledged to work with security agencies to ensure that justice is served, and that those responsible for the violence in the state face the full weight of the law.
Further developments are expected as the legal proceedings in the case continue.
