INSECURITY: Zamfara Acquires 25 Armoured Vehicles, Drones for Troops
The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa (retd.), has commended Governor Dauda Lawal for procuring 25 armoured personnel carriers and surveillance drones to boost security operations in Zamfara State. The governor on Saturday distributed the vehicles and other operational equipment to troops at the Government House in Gusau, saying the move was part of efforts to […]
The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa (retd.), has commended Governor Dauda Lawal for procuring 25 armoured personnel carriers and surveillance drones to boost security operations in Zamfara State.
The governor on Saturday distributed the vehicles and other operational equipment to troops at the Government House in Gusau, saying the move was part of efforts to strengthen logistics and intelligence gathering in the fight against insecurity.
A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, said the 25 armoured personnel carriers would enhance troop protection during deployments to high-risk areas across the state.
The statement added that the state government also procured an endurance surveillance drone capable of covering up to 50 kilometres and operating continuously for eight hours to support reconnaissance and intelligence operations.
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Speaking at the ceremony, Lawal said the presence of the defence minister underscored the synergy between the federal and Zamfara State governments in tackling insecurity.
“For years, Zamfara State faced a security crisis that disrupted life. Rural areas experienced instability, farmers faced uncertainty, and movement along key roads was cautious. Markets underperformed, affecting productivity, income and confidence,” he said.
He said under his administration’s “Rescue Mission”, the state moved from what he described as fragmented responses to a structured security framework, including the establishment of the Zamfara State Security Trust Fund to provide predictable logistical support to security agencies.
Lawal said the government had also strengthened collaboration with the Armed Forces, the police and other agencies through regular coordination and launched Community Protection Guards to enhance grassroots intelligence and early warning.
He disclosed that 60 new Hilux vehicles and motorcycles were earlier provided to the Community Protection Guards to improve response time, while 150 Hilux vehicles were distributed to security agencies, including the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The governor further said the state procured 20 Toyota Buffalo vehicles — 10 armoured and 10 soft-body — and over 600 specialised motorcycles to improve rapid response in difficult terrains.
He said the integration of unmanned aerial systems would expand reconnaissance capacity and improve situational awareness, noting that real-time information would enhance coordination between command centres and field units.
“To the military commanders present today, these assets represent structured public investment and collective trust. Deployment must be intelligence-guided and strategically prioritised. Maintenance schedules must be strictly observed,” he said.
In his remarks, the defence minister described the procurement as a demonstration of the governor’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
“From what I have seen, if we continue like this in the second term, Zamfara will look like Dubai,” Musa said.
He added that safeguarding lives and property transcends political differences and commended the governor for committing substantial resources to public safety, noting that the equipment had been fully paid for.
“This sends a strong message to criminals,” he said.