Former director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Musa Daura, has declared that he offers concrete solutions rather than political rhetoric to address the worsening insecurity in Katsina State.
Daura said his decision to step into politics was driven by a deep concern for the safety and dignity of the people.
In an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP Friday, Daura said years of violent attacks on communities, destruction of livelihoods and the persistent fear faced by the residents compelled him to move from quiet retirement into public service.
“I am not coming with empty rhetoric. Insecurity has become a daily reality for our people, and it requires professional, intelligence-driven solutions not propaganda,” he said.
The former DSS boss traced his background to public schools in Daura before attending the College of Science and Technology and later Amadu Bello University (ABU), where he obtained his first degree in 1977. He subsequently acquired postgraduate and professional qualifications relevant to security and intelligence.
Daura began his career with the defunct National Security Organisation (NSO), which later became the DSS, rising through the ranks to occupy senior management and strategic positions.
He said for more than two decades, he worked closely with military and civilian administrations, advising top political leaders and participating in high-level decision-making.
According to him, his recall from retirement between 2015 and 2018 underscored the value of experience and institutional memory in managing complex security challenges.
Daura explained that his political ambition was not driven by personal desire but by the scale of insecurity confronting Katsina and the neighbouring states.
“When communities are under constant attack and the people can no longer go to farm, trade, or sleep peacefully, silence becomes complicity,” he said,
He added that appeals from traditional rulers, professionals and ordinary citizens influenced his decision.
The former intelligence chief criticised the politicisation of security operations, describing it as a major obstacle to lasting peace.
“Once politics enters security management, coordination breaks down and accountability disappears. Security must be professional, intelligence-led, and insulated from political interference,” Daura said.
He argued that development efforts in education, healthcare, and investment would remain ineffective without first restoring safety and stability.
While declining to immediately disclose the political platform he intends to contest on, Daura confirmed that consultations are ongoing with stakeholders to ensure alignment with his vision.
He also acknowledged a growing movement around his ambition, describing it as issue-based and people-centred rather than personality-driven.
Daura appealed to the people of Katsina State to give him the opportunity to serve, promising measurable results rather than lofty promises.
“Judge me by what I deliver, not by what I say. If entrusted with leadership, my priority will be the security, well-being, and future of Katsina State,” he said.
He stressed that without security, no meaningful development can take place, reaffirming his commitment to restoring peace and dignity across the state.
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