By Evelyn Terseer, Abuja

Following the unending upsurge in the activities of terrorists in various parts of Zamfara, the state government, headed by Governor Mohammed Matawalle has directed residents of the state to prepare and procure guns to defend themselves against terrorists and bandits.

The government also stated that it was ready to facilitate for the residents, especially farmers to obtain basic weapons for defending themselves, disclosing that it 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.

According to the government, “People must apply from the Commissioner of Police, licence to own guns and such other basic weapons to be used in defending themselves.”

Additionally, a secretariat or centre will be established for the collection of intelligence on the activities of informants in the state. The government added that “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, address, occupation and witness to testify the genuity of the information given, as government is taking punitive measures against any one found as informant. Any person who give wrong information against anybody, will be served the same punishment with an informant and will be treated as such.”

Also, the state government requested the state House of Assembly to pass, “as matter of urgency, the Informants Bill before it, to enable government take the drastic measures on informants as contained in the Bill.”

Additionally, it ordered for 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.

To further ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of these measures, as well the proper implementation of these measures, the state government  also decided to form a high-powered 12-man special committee to receive intelligence on the activities of informants, which include: Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe Sardauna Dan Isa ( Lamidon Kaura), SSG; 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, Special Adviser Security – Member;  Hon Sanusi Wanzammai
Commissioner, State INEC – Member; Captain Mai Riga T/ Mafara – Member; Sani Gwamna Mayanchi – Member and Bello Bakyasuwa Soja to serve as the secretary to the committee.

Also is the formation of  formation of additional paramilitary unit to support control and command to properly and effectively reinforce the operations of our community protection guards (CPG.)

The government also reconstituted the state committee on prosecution of banditry related offences.
Government and the state committee on prosecution of bandits-related offences.

In the statement, signed by Signed Ibrahim Magaji Dosara
Hon Commissioner for Information, the governor in view of the deteriorating security situation in the hard hit Mada, Wonaka, and Ruwan Bore Districts of Gusau Local Government, as well as Yandoto Emirate in Tsafe Local Government, ordered the immediate closure of all markets in the districts and Yandoto Emirate indefinitely.

In addition, the government equally banned the 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 on 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 also using this medium to thank all those who honoured and respected the peace dialogue in what ever 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. 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 government further disclosed that it took these far-reaching decisions in its commitment “to ensure adequate security and protection of lives and property of the citizenry in the state, particularly during this rainy season” and “as measures to deal with the recent escalating attacks, kidnapping and the criminal levies being enforced on our innocent communities.”

Terrorism, it noted “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 measures.”