From Maiharaji Altine
The chairman Zamfara state Anti Thuggery, drug abuse and other related cases committee, Alhaji Bello Bakyasuwa said, the killing of one person and injuring four others at the Gusau central motor park was caused by a heavy fight between his men and hoodlums who were on the committee’s wanted list.
Speaking to journalists in his office, Bakyasuwa said, his men went to the motor park in order to arrest some suspected criminals who were on the wanted list of the committee.
According to him, there were bad elements in the motor park who used to sponsor political thugs to attack people during political rallies.
He also explained that others were drug barons who sell dangerous drugs to criminals and bandits.
He maitained that, his committee went to the motor park in order to arrest those involved in these unlawful activities but unfortunately they were attacked by the hoodlums who were carrying dangerous weapons.
He said, “We went to the park to arrest some suspected criminals who are in our wanted list”.
“My men were surrounded by the hoodlums most of them were carrying weapons in a bid to prevent us from arresting the suspects”.
“We were left with no option but to also protect ourselves and there was exchange of fire where one man was shot dead and four others sustained injuries”.
“You know, in every operation of this nature, there must be casualties”.
“We were however able to arrest some of the suspects including their gang leader popularly known as “Dandom” and his lieutenants”.
“Some of them are currently in police custody, others are with us and there are other ones in the hospital”.
Bakyasuwa explained that he would not relent efforts in the fight against thuggery, drug abuse and other related activities, adding that, “We have so far arrested over 140 political thugs, 70 suspected bandits and many telephone snatchers from inception to date”.
He reaffirmed that his committee would continue to work tirelessly in order to rid the state of bad elements and political thugs.
He called on politicians to stop using their supporters in political thuggery for peace to reign during and after the elections.
He also appealed to parents and guardians to caution their children against all acts capable of disrupting peace in the state, concluding that, “My committee will deal ruthlessly with anybody caught in the act”.
