Governor Abdul’aziz Yari of Zamfara State says he has dropped his responsibility as the Chief Security Officer of the state, alleging that he had no control over the security machinery in the state.

Speaking to newsmen in Talata-Mafara on Friday, Yari said his decision stemmed from the seeming helplessness of the state government and the people over recurring killings in the state.

He lamented the prevailing situation where as the chief security officer of the state, he could not take decisions on strategies as well as their implementation for the protection of the state and its people.

“We have been facing serious security challenges over the years, but in spite of being Governor and Chief Security Officer of the state, I cannot direct security officers on what to do nor sanction them when they err.

“As Chief Security Officer, the nomenclature is just a name,” Yari said.

The governor said it was disheartening that killings in the state had continued unabated in spite of President Muhammadu Buhari’s order to security agencies to end the incessant blood-letting across the country.

He noted that since the president’s order, the killings have not stopped, disclosing that within the space of one week, attacks in this state had claimed over 30 lives.

While stressing that the state government was spending a huge amount of its resources on security but to no avail, Yari called on the people of the state to be more faithful to God and embark on special prayers over the challenges facing the state.

He further appealed to them to be patient and continue to cooperate with the government and security agencies as steps were being taken to address the challenges.

“We cannot keep quiet while our people are being killed daily. We are going to cooperate with all stakeholders to bring the situation to an end,” the governor added.