The governor of Zamfara state, Governor Bello Matawalle, urged citizens of the state to go ahead and own rifles for “personal protection.”
Zamfara has been consistently plagued by insecurity, with high rates of bandit attacks. Concerned for the wellbeing of his citizens the governor gave the directive as another means to curtail the rising rate of insecurity, following another attack on Saturday on Mada community under Gusau Local Council, resulting in the deaths of many individuals, leaving some wounded and others homeless.
Ibrahim Dosara, the Commissioner for Information, in a statement, yesterday, explained that this decision was taken by the state government to ensure adequate security in the state, particularly during the rainy season.
He said; “Government has resolved to take further measures to deal with the recent escalating attacks, kidnapping and criminal levies being enforced on our innocent communities. This act of terrorism has been a source of worry to the people and government of the state.”
“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.”
“People must apply to the Commissioner of Police, for license to own guns and such 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.”
“People are strictly warned and advised to make sure that any information about an informant is 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 genuineness of the information given, as government is taking punitive measures against anyone found as informant.”
The government cautioned its citizens against giving false information against others, saying that defaulters will be punished. In his statement, Dosara also requested that the House of Assembly pass the informant bill with immediate effect in order to enable government take the measures on informants as contained in the bill.
