*Approves use of guns for residents, bans motorcycles
*To recruit fresh 200 Community Protection Guards in each Emirate
Passing a no-confidencd vote against the All Progressives Congress (APC) federal government, to which the state governor belongs to, in terms of securing the lives of their people, the Zamfara State Government Sunday asked residents to bear personal arm against bandits, terrorists and sundry criminals.
In this regard, the state directed the Commissioner of Police in the state to issue gun licences to those found to be eligible to bears arms.
The state government, in a statement, said it was ready to facilitate the purchase of basic weapons for the people, especially farmers, to defend themselves, but failed to disclose how it intends to monitor any misuse.
According to the Information Commissioner, the state also announced a total ban on the use of motorcycles in some communities.Also, it said it would recruit additional 200 Community Protecrion Guards across all the 19 Emirates in the state, to beef up security.He also announced the f
ormation of additional Paramilitary Unit to support the state’s Control and Command Center so as to properly and effectively reinforce the operations of its Community Protection Guards (CPG).
He stated that the measures became necessary “following increase in the activities of bandits in various parts of the state and the government commitment to ensure adequate security and protection of lives and property of the citizenry in the state, particularly during this rainy season”.
He said the decision was aimed at dealing “with the recent escalating attacks, kidnapping and the criminal levies being enforced on our innocent communities”.
It noted that “acts of terrorism 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 “henceforth, direct individuals to prepare and obtain guns to defend themselves against the bandits, as government has directed the state commissioner of police to issue license to all those who qualify and are wishing 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”.
The Commissioner stated that people willing to bear arms “must apply from the Commissioner of Police, license to own guns and such other basic weapons to be used in defending themselves”..
He added that “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 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”.
He warned that “any person who gives wrong information against anybody, will be served the same punishment with an informant and will be treated as such”.
*Bill on protection of informants
The Commissioner further stated that “Government has 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.
“Government has 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”.
*Kabiru Balarabe heads Committee on Intelligence
He announced the formation of a Special Committee to receive Intelligence on the activities of informants.
This committee has the following members: Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe Sardau (Lamidon Kaura)
SSG as Chairman; Alh. Ibrahim Sulaiman, Chief of Staff to the Governor, member; DIG Mamman Ibrahim Tsafe, Commissioner Security, member; Alhaji 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, Specie Adviser Security, member; Hon. Sanusi Wanzammai, Commissioner, State INEC, member; Captain Mai Riga T/Mafara, member; Sani Gwamna Mayanchi, member; and Bello Bakyasuwa Soja, who is to serve as the secretary to the committee.
He stated that their terms of reference will be given to them by the Office of the SSG on Monday.
*Retired CP Anka heads Community Protection Guard
The newly established CPG has the following structures and appointments: retired Commissioner of Police Mamman Anka, as the Commandant-General; Capt. Aminu Mada rtd, Deputy Commandant-General (Operations); Sulaiman Lawali Zurmi, Commandant (Operations); Bashir Nafiu Gusau, Commandant (Mobilization) and Alh. Aliyu Na’ibi Karakkai, Commandant (Surveillance and Intelligence).
Other members of the Control and Command Centre of the Community Protection Guards are: Shi’itu Makera T/Mafara, Bello Dankurmi andDogo Na Bukkuyum.
*Abdullahi Shinkafi heads C’ttee on Prosection of Bandits, others
The state government also reconstituted its Committee on the Prosecution of Banditry-related offences, with former National Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr. Sani Abdullahi Wanban Shinkafi, as the Chairman.
Other members include: Ibrahim Sulaiman, Chief of Staff to the Governor, member; Rtd Justice Nasiru Umar Gummi, member; CP Mamman Anka rtd, member; Engr Mamuda Aliyu Maradun, member; a representative of the Nigerian Army, member; a representative of the Nigeria Police, member; a representative of the DSS, member; a representative of the Civil Defence Corps, member; a representative of the hunters, member, while Barr. Aminu Junaidu Kaura, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for justice, is to serve as Secretary to the committee.
*Orders immediate close of markets in 2 LGAs
In addition to the foregoing, the Commissioner stated that, “in view of the deteriorating security situation in Mada, Wonaka, and Ruwan Bore Districts of Gusau Local Government, as well as Yansoto Emirate in Tsafe Local Government, Governor Mohammed Matawalle (Barden Hausa and Shatiman Sokoto), has approved the immediate closure of all markets and Kara in these districts and Yandoto Emirate indefinitely.
“In addition, 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 on 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”.
He added that “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 respect the peace dialogue in what ever form.
“In the same vein, those who refused to honour and respect the peace dialogue are here by 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 fight to the enclaves of the criminals with immediate effect”.
