In order to defend themselves against bandits, the Zamfara State Government has ordered residents to buy firearms.
The state government of Zamfara State claimed in a statement signed by Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, the state’s commissioner for information, that the instruction was necessary due to an increase in bandit activity in the state’s various regions and the government’s commitment to providing adequate security and protection for citizens’ lives and property, particularly during this rainy season.
He said that the government has decided to take additional steps in response to the recent uptick in attacks, kidnappings, and criminal levies being applied to their innocent communities.
“Both the state’s citizens and government have been alarmed and concerned by this act of terrorism. As a result, the government is forced to implement the following actions in order to deal decisively with the situation in each of our communities: As the state commissioner of police is now required to grant licences to all those who meet the requirements and want to purchase such weapons for self-defense, the government has ordered people to get ready and prepare their weapons for self-defense against bandits.
The government is prepared to make it easier for people, particularly our farmers, to obtain basic defence tools. Each of the 19 Emirates in the state will receive 500 application forms from the government for those who wish to purchase firearms for self-defense.
“In order to own firearms and other basic weapons for self-defense, people must obtain a licence from the Commissioner of Police.
To gather information on informant activities, a secretariat or centre will be set up.
“People are strongly cautioned and advised to ensure 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, address, and occupation, as well as witness to testify the Genuity of the information given, as government is taking punitive measures against any one found as an informant. The same punishment and treatment as an informant will be meted out to anyone who provides false information against another person.
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The state House of Assembly has been urged by the government to swiftly pass the informants bill that is currently before it in order for the government to implement the harsh measures against informants that are outlined in the bill. In order to increase their manpower and strengthen their force and capacity to deal with the bandits, the government has ordered the recruitment of 200 extra Community Protection Guards in each of the state’s 19 emirates, totaling 500 per emirate.
Government has also decided the following to further ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of these measures, as well as their proper implementation:
creation of a special committee to gather intelligence regarding informant activities
The membership of this committee is as follows: Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe Sardauna Dan Isa (Lamidon Kaura), SSG, as Chairman, and Alh Ibrahim Sulaiman
Member, D I G Mamman Ibrahim Tsafe, who serves as the governor’s chief of staff; Member, Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, who serves as the commissioner of security;
Sani Abdullahi Wamban Shinkafi, Honorary Adviser to the Governor, Member; Commissioner Information; Member; Commissioner Youth;
Sanusi Wanzammai, State INEC Commissioner, Captain Mai Riga T/ Mafara, and Sani Gwamna Mayanchi are members of the House of Representatives as well as Special Security Advisor Abubakar Mohammed Dauran.
The terms of reference for the committee will be provided to them by the SSG office on Monday, along with Bello Bakyasuwa Soja’s appointment as secretary.
The state government also announced the creation of additional paramilitary units to support, control, and command, properly and effectively bolster the operations of their community protection guards, CPG.
“This newly created unit is comprised of the following positions and structures:
a retired police commissioner Mamman Anka is the commandant-general, followed by Capt. Aminu Mada (retired), the deputy commandant-general for operations, Sulaiman Lawali Zurmi, the commandant for operations, Bashir Nafiu Gusau, the commandant for mobilisation, and Alhaji Na’ibi Karakkai, the commandant for surveillance and intelligence.
“There are other people in the Community Protection Guards’ control and command centre. Dogo Na Bukkuyum, Bello Dankurmi, and Shi’itu Makera T/Mafara
Governor Mohammed Matawalle gave his approval for the immediate closure of all markets and Kara in these districts and Yandoto emirate indefinitely due to the deteriorating security situation in Gusau local government’s Mada, Wonaka, and Ruwan Bore Districts as well as Yandoto emirate.
Additionally, the Yandoto emirate, the Mada, Wonaka, and Ruwan Bore districts have all been declared off-limits for the sale of petroleum products and the operation of motorcycles. From this point forward, all gas stations in the impacted areas are hereby closed with immediate effect.
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“Anyone found riding a motorcycle inside the zones is thought to be a bandit, and security agencies are therefore instructed to shoot such persons at sight. This announcement orders security organisations to strictly enforce compliance. Anyone found to have broken this order should be punished legally. Any act wherein innocent people are killed would not be supported by the government.
“Government is also utilising this medium to express gratitude to everyone who honoured and respected the peace dialogue in whatever capacity. Those who refused to honour and respect the peace dialogue are hereby warned to allow peace in our respective communities. By means of this order, the government commands the military, police, civil defence, and other security organisations to immediately mobilise their personnel and enter the criminals’ strongholds.
