Following the total collapse of security in Nigeria under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has notified the state residents of the willingness of the government to license guns for people to defend themselves against terrorists ravaging the nation.
The Governor, who spoke through the state Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Magaji Dosara in a statement said that the decision has become necessary following the increase in the activities of bandits in the state.
The Governor also noted that the government’s commitment to ensure adequate security and protection of lives and property of the citizenry in the state, the government has resolved to take further measures to deal with the terrorists escalating attacks, kidnapping and the criminal levies being enforced on the people.
The statement reads in parts:
“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:
“The Government has henceforth, directed individuals to prepare and obtain guns to defend themselves against the bandits, as the government has directed the state commissioner of police to issue licenses 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. The government has already concluded arrangements 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 through the Commissioner of Police, a license to own guns and other basic weapons to be used in defending themselves.
“A secretariat or centre will 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, as all information on such informants, must carry correct data on the suspects, including their pictures, correct names, addresses, occupation and witness to testify the ingenuity of the information given, as the government is taking punitive measures against anyone found as an informant. Any person who gives wrong information against anybody will be served the same punishment with an informant and will be treated as such.
“The government has requested the state House of Assembly to pass, as matter of urgency, the informant’s bill before it, to enable the government to take the drastic measures on informants as contained in the bill.
“The government has ordered 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.”
The statement also revealed that to further ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of these measures, as well as the proper implementation of these measures, the government has also decided as follows to form a special committee to receive intelligence on the activities of informants.
Members of this committee are Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe Sardau ( Lamidon Kaura), SSG as Chairman, Alh Ibrahim Sulaiman, Chief of Staff to the Governor – Member, D I G Mamman Ibrahim Tsafe, Commissioner Security – Member, Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, Commissioner Information – Member, Hon Nasiru Masama, Commissioner Youth – Member, Sani Abdullahi Wamban Shinkafi, Honorary Adviser to the Gov – Member, Hon Abubakar Mohammed Dauran Specie Adviser Security – Member, Hon Sanusi Wanzammai, Commissioner, State INEC – Member, Captain Mai Riga T/ Mafara – Memner and Sani Gwamna Mayanchi – Member. Bello Bakyasuwa Soja to serve as the secretary to the committee.
The state has also formed an additional paramilitary unit to support control and command to properly and effectively reinforce the operations of community protection guards CPG.
According to the statement, this newly established unit has the following structures and appointments:Retired Commissioner of Police Mamman Anka as Commandant – General, Capt Aminu Mada rtd – Deputy Commandant General Operations, Sulaiman Lawali Zurmi – Commandant Operations,Bashir Nafiu Gusau – Commandant Mobilization, Alh Aliyu Na’ibi Karakkai – Commandant Surveillance and Intelligence, Shi’itu Makera T/Mafara, Bello Dankurmi and Dogo Na Bukkuyum.
Also, following the deteriorating security situation in Mada, Wonaka, Ruwan Bore Districts of Gusau local government and Yandoto emirate in Tsafe local government, the governor has approved the immediate closure of all markets and Kara in these districts and Yandoto emirate indefinitely.
The government has equally banned the riding of motorbikes and selling of petroleum products in Mada, Wonaka, Ruwan Bore districts and Yandoto emirate.
“Henceforth, all filling stations in the affected areas are hereby closed with immediate effect. Anybody found riding a motorbike within the areas is considered a bandit 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. The Government would not condone any act where innocent people are being killed. The Government is also using this medium to thank all those who honoured and respect the peace dialogue in whatever form. In the same vein, those who refused to honour and respect the peace dialogue are hereby warned to allow peace within our respective communities. The Government is hereby directing the military, police, civil defence and other security agencies to mobilise their operatives and take the fight to the enclaves of the criminals with immediate effect”, the statement concluded.
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