From Maiharaji Altine, Gusau
Following the persistent insecurity challenges affecting the state, Zamfara state government has directed individuals to prepare and obtain guns to defend themselves against the bandits.
To this effect, the state government has directed the state commissioner of police to issue license to all those who qualify and are wishing to obtain such guns to defend themselves.
In a statement, the state’s commissioner of information Ibrahim Dosara said, the act of terrorism has been a source of worry and concern to the people and government of the state, as such stiffer measures must be taken to arrest the menace.
He said, in order to deal decisively with the situation in most of the communities, government has no option than to allow people to buy guns and defend themselves.
The commissioner said, “Following the increase in the activities of bandits in various parts of the state and the government’s commitment to ensure adequate security and protection of lives and property of the citizenry particularly during this rainy season, government has resolved to take further measures to deal with the recent escalating attacks, kidnapping and the criminal levies being enforced on our innocent communities”.
“This act of terrorism has been a source of worry and concern to the people and government of the state.”
“Therefore, in order to deal decisively with the situation in our respective communities, government has no option than to take the following measures”:
“Government has henceforth, directed individuals to prepare and obtain guns to defend themselves against the bandits”.
“Government has directed the state commissioner of police to issue license to all those who qualify and are wishing to obtain such guns to defend themselves”
“Government is ready to facilitate people, especially our farmers to secure basic weapons for defending themselves”.
“Government has already concluded arrangement to distribute 500 forms to each of the 19 Emirates in the state for those willing to obtain guns to defend themselves”.
“People must apply for license from the Commissioner of Police to own guns and such other basic weapons to be used in defending themselves”.
On the issue of informants who supply information to bandits, the commissioner said, “A secretariat or centre would be established for the collection of intelligence on the activities of informants”.
“People are strictly warned and advised to make sure that any information or intelligence about an informant must be true and nothing but the truth”.
“All information on such informants must carry correct data on the suspects, including their pictures, correct names, address, occupation and witness to testify the genuity of the information given as government is taking punitive measures against any one found as informant”
“Any person who gives wrong information against anybody, will be served the same punishment with an informant and will be treated as such”.
“Government has requested the state House of Assembly to pass, as matter of urgency, the informants bill before it, to enable government take the drastic measures on informants as contained in the bill”.
“Government has ordered for the recruitment of 200 additional Community Protection Guards in each of the 19 emirates of the state, making it 500 per emirate, to increase their manpower and strengthen its force and capacity to deal with the bandits”.
Dosara further explained that to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the security measures, as well as their proper implementation, the following steps have been adopted:
Formation of a special committee to receive intelligence on the activities of informants.
Formation of additional paramilitary unit to support control and command to properly and effectively reinforce the operations of the community protection guards (CPG).
Re-constituting the state committee on prosecution of banditry related offences.
Government has also reconstituted the state committee on prosecution of bandits related offences
The commissioner also explained that in view of the deteriorating security situation in Mada, Wonaka, and Ruwan Bore Districts of Gusau local government, as well as Yansoto emirate in Tsafe local government, Governor Matawalle, has approved the immediate closure of all markets and Kara in those districts and Yandoto emirate indefinitely.
“In addition to this, government has equally banned riding of motorbikes and selling of petroleum products in Mada, Wonaka and Ruwan Bore districts, as well as Yandoto emirate”.
”Henceforth, all filling stations on the affected areas are hereby closed with immediate effect”.
“Anybody found riding motorbike within the areas is considered as bandits and security agencies are thereby directed to shoot such persons at sight”.
“Security agencies are by this announcement directed to ensure strict compliance”.
“Anybody found violating this order should be dealt with according to the rule of law”.
“Government will not condone any act where innocent people are being killed”.
“Government is also using this medium to thank all those who honour and respect the peace dialogue in what ever form”
“In the same vein, those who refuse to honour and respect the peace dialogue are hereby warned to allow peace within our respective communities”
“Government is hereby directing the military, police, civil defence and other security agencies to mobilise their operatives and take fight to the enclaves of the criminals with immediate effect”.
