The Zamfara State Government has instructed residents to purchase firearms in order to protect themselves from bandits.
The state government of Zamfara State claimed in a statement signed by Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, the state’s commissioner for information, that the directive was necessary to protect the lives and property of the state’s citizens, especially during this rainy season, due to an increase in bandit activity in various parts of the state.
He said that the government had decided to take additional steps in response to the recent uptick in attacks, kidnappings, and criminal levies being applied to their innocent communities.
“The people and government of the state have been alarmed and concerned by this act of terrorism. Therefore, the government has no choice but to implement the following actions in order to deal decisively with the situation in our respective communities: The government has ordered people to prepare and get weapons to protect themselves from bandits, and it has told the state’s chief of police to grant licences to anyone who meets the requirements and wants to get such weapons to protect themselves.
“The government is prepared to make it easier for people, especially our farmers, to acquire basic weapons for self-defense. For those wishing to obtain firearms for self-defense, the government has already reached an agreement to distribute 500 forms to each of the 19 Emirates in the state.
To obtain a licence to own a gun or other basic self-defense weapon, a person must go through the Commissioner of Police.
The establishment of a secretariat or centre for gathering information regarding informant activities
People are sternly cautioned and advised to ensure 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, and occupation, as well as witnesses to attest to the veracity of the information given. Anyone who provides false information about someone else will receive the same punishment as an informant and will be treated as such.
“The government has asked the state House of Assembly to pass the informants bill that is currently before it as soon as possible to allow the government to implement the harsh measures against informants that are contained in the bill. In order to increase manpower, strengthen its force, and better deal with the bandits, the government has ordered the recruitment of an additional 200 Community Protection Guards in each of the state’s 19 emirates, for a total of 500 per emirate.
The government has also made the following decisions in order to further ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of these measures and their proper implementation:
creation of a special committee to collect intelligence on informant activity.
The members of this committee are as follows: Chairman Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe Sardauna Dan Isa (Lamidon Kaura), and Alh Ibrahim Sulaiman
Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, D I G Mamman Ibrahim Tsafe, and others are members of the governor’s staff.
Sani Abdullahi Wamban Shinkafi, Hon. Nasiru Masama, and Hon. Nasiru Masama are the members of the Commission on Information and the Commission on Youth, respectively.
Hon. Sanusi Wanzammai, Commissioner, State INEC, Hon. Abubakar Mohammed Dauran, Special Adviser Security, Captain Mai Riga T/ Mafara, and Sani Gwamna Mayanchi, Members
and Bello Bakyasuwa Soja to serve as the committee’s secretary. On Monday, they will receive their terms of reference from the SSG office.
The state government also announced the creation of additional paramilitary units to support, control, and command the community protection guards’ (CPG) operations in a proper and efficient manner.
The following positions and structures are present in this newly created unit:
Police Commissioner in retirement Mamman Anka serves as commandant-general, while Capt. Aminu Mada, ret., is the deputy commandant-general for operations, Sulaiman Lawali Zurmi is in charge of operations, Bashir Nafiu Gusau is in charge of mobilisation, and Alhaji Na’ibi Karakkai is in charge of surveillance and intelligence.
“There are other members of the Community Protection Guards’ command and control centre. Bello Dankurmi, Dogo Na Bukkuyum, and Shi’itu Makera T/Mafara
Governor Mohammed Matawalle authorised the immediate closure of all markets and Kara in these districts and Yandoto emirate indefinitely due to the deteriorating security situation in the Mada, Wonaka, and Ruwan Bore Districts of the Gusau Local Government as well as Yandoto emirate in the Tsafe Local Government.
In addition to this, the government has equally outlawed the use of motorbikes and the sale of petroleum products in the Yandoto emirate, the Mada, Wonaka, and Ruwan Bore districts. As of right now, all gas stations in the impacted areas are immediately closed.
Security agencies are instructed to shoot anyone found riding a motorcycle within the designated areas because they are deemed bandits and pose a threat to public safety. By making this announcement, security agencies are instructed to ensure strict compliance. Anyone found to have disobeyed this order should be punished in accordance with the law. The government would not support any act that resulted in the deaths of innocent people.
The government is also expressing its gratitude through this medium to everyone who honoured and respected the peace dialogue in whatever capacity. The same goes for those who refused to honour and respect the peace dialogue; they are hereby cautioned to permit peace in our respective communities. With immediate effect, the government is directing the military, police, civil defence, and other security agencies to mobilise their personnel and enter the criminals’ strongholds.
