Zamfara – Following increase in the activities of bandits, Zamfara State Government has directed individuals to prepare and obtain guns to defend themselves.
The state Commissioner for information, Ibrahim Dosara
disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Gusau at the weekend.
Consequent upon this directive, government has directed the state commissioner of police to issue license to all those who qualify and are willing to obtain such guns to defend themselves.
“Government is ready to facilitate people, especially our farmers to secure basic weapons for defending themselves.
“Government has already concluded arrangement to distribute 500 forms to each of the 19 Emirates in the state for those willing to obtain guns to defend themselves,” Dosara said in the statement.
He, however, said that people must apply from the Commissioner of Police,license to own guns and such other basic weapons to be used in defending themselves.
Aside this, he said government has approved the indefinite closure of all markets and Kara in Yandoto emirate, Mada, Wonaka, and Ruwan Bore Districts of Gusau local government and Tsafe local government with immediate effect.
“In addition to this, government 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.
“Anybody found riding motorbike within the areas is considered as bandits 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. Government would not condone any act where innocent people are being killed.
“Government is hereby directing the military, police, civil defence and other security agencies to mobilise their operatives and take fight to the enclaves of the criminals with immediate effect,” Dosara said.
He also said that government has concluded plans to open a secretariat or centre for the collection and processing of intelligence on the activities of informants.
He warned and advised people 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 the genuinty of the information given, as government is taking punitive measures against anyone found as informant.
“Any person who gives wrong information against anybody, will be served the same punishment with an informant and will be treated as such” he said.
The Commissioner said government has requested the state House of Assembly to pass, as a matter of urgency, the informants bill before it, to enable government take the drastic measures on informants as contained in the bill.
According to him, government has also ordered for 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.
To further ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of these measures, as well the proper implementation of these measures, the Commissioner said government has also established a special committee to receive intelligence on the activities of informants.
He said that the Secretary to the State Government (SSG),
Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe Sardau
will be the Chairman of the committee while Alh Ibrahim Sulaiman,DIG Mamman Ibrahim Tsafe (rtd),Alhaji Ibrahim Magaji Dosara,Hon. Nasiru Masama and Sani Abdullahi Wamban Shinkafi
will serve as members.
Other members of the committee are Hon Abubakar Mohammed Dauran ,
Hon Sanusi Wanzammai,Capt. Mai Riga T/ Marafa and Sani Gwamna Mayanchi while Bello Bakyasuwa Soja will serve as the secretary to the committee.
He said government has also approved formation of additional paramilitary unit to support control and command to properly and effectively reinforce the operations of Community Protection Guards across the state.
He said a retired Commissioner of Police, Mamman Anka has been appointed its Commandant-General,
Capt Aminu Mada, rtd, is the Deputy Commandant General, Operations while Sulaiman Lawali Zurmi will serve as Commandant, Operations
Bashir Nafiu Gusau is to serve as Commandant, Mobilization while Alhaji Aliyu Na’ibi Karakkai is the Commandant, Surveillance and Intelligence.
The Commissioner further disclosed that government has Re-constituted the state committee on prosecution of banditry related offences with Dr Sani Abdullahi Wanban as Chairman
Members of the committee are Ibrahim Sulaiman, Rtd Justice Nasiru Umar Gummi,rtd CP Mamman Anka, Mamuda Aliyu Maradun while Aminu Junaidu Kaura, the state
Attorney-General and Commissioner for justice is the Secretary to the committee. (vitalnewsngr.com)
