Frantic efforts to stem the tide of insecurity currently ravaging various parts of Nigeria reached a new height on Sunday with the Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, ordering residents to acquire guns for self-defence.
The governor said the residents should obtain the weapons to rise against the insurgents who have invaded and destabilized the state.
Already, there is a ban on the use of motorcycles in the State and the governor has mandated security agents to shoot motorcyclists on sight, to let them know the ban is still in force.
Giving details on the plan by the state, the Zamfara State Information Commissioner Ibrahim Dosara, declared that: “The 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 a licence to all those who qualify and are wishing to obtain such guns to defend themselves.
“Government is ready to facilitate for people, especially our farmers, to secure basic weapons for defending themselves.
“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.”
That will give at least about 9, 500 guns that will be distributed to various parts of the state.
The commissioner said that the State government had decide to deal with the recent escalating attacks, kidnapping and violence being orchestrated by the bandit.
Reports say that bandits now roam the rural areas of the states in Nigeria’s Northeast and Northwest, and in many places now impose taxes and other forms of control on the citizens.
“This act of terrorism has been a source of worry and concern to the people and government of the state,’ the commissioner said.
“Therefore, to deal decisively with the situation, the government has no option but to take these measures.”
He stressed however that residents must obtain from the Commissioner of Police a licence 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.
“Residents 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 on the facts of the information given.
“The government will take punitive measures against anyone found as an informant. Any person who gives wrong information against anybody will be served the same punishment as an informant and will be treated as such.”
According to him, the state government had requested the State House of Assembly to urgently pass the Informants Bill, which is currently before it, to enable the government to take the appropriate measures on informants as contained in the bill.
He added that the government had ordered the recruitment of 200 additional Community Protection Guards (CPGs) in each of the 19 emirates, bringing it to 500 per emirate.
Similarly, the state government had also constituted an 11-man special committee to receive intelligence on the activities of informants, with Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Bello Bakyasuwa Soja, as chairman.
He also announced an additional para-military unit to support control and command, to properly and effectively reinforce the operations of the CPGs.
The new unit has eight members with retired Commissioner of Police Mamman Anka as Commandant–General.
Dosara further announced that the state government had reconstituted an 11-member committee on the prosecution of banditry-related offences with Dr. Sani Abdullahi Wanban Shinkafi as Chairman.
Governor Matawalle also gave orders for the immediate closure of all markets, including livestock markets in Mada, Wonaka, and Ruwan Bore Districts of Gusau Local Government Area and Yandoto Emirate in Tsafe Local Government Area.
“The governor 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 in the affected areas are hereby closed with immediate effect.
“Anyone 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.
“Anyone 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 hereby directs the Military, the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security agencies to mobilise their operatives and take the fight to the enclaves of the criminals with immediate effect.”
