The Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle and Commissioner of Police, CP Ayuba Elkana have over the weekend spit fire by setting out stringent measures to checkmate the growing activities of bandits and other security challenges bedeviling the state.
Governor Matawalle and CP Elkana reeled out the dos and don’ts to residents of the state in order to curtail banditry activities.
Governor Matawalle in a statement by his Special Adviser Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications, Zailani Bappa warned that defaulters who flout the set out measures would be apprehended and treated as a suspected bandit.
According to the statement, “Henceforth, all filling stations in the state are banned from selling fuel in gallons in Gusau and the 14 local Government headquarters. In addition, no filling station is allowed to sell fuel of more that N10,000 to a single customer. Also roadside purchase (popularly known as black market) are entirely banned.
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“Governor Matawalle further announced that all weekly markets across the state are suspended but normal market activities of buying and selling for local consumptions are exempted from the ban.
“The Government further ordered that the transportation of livestock to and from the State is henceforth suspended while the transportation of food across the state and outside the state must be verified to authenticate its destination otherwise will be seized and taken to the orphanage.
“The new rules further include the banning of riding on motorcycles and tricycles from 6pm to 6am in the state except the state capital which starts by 8pm to 6am everyday. Furthermore, any tricycle that is covered will be stopped to verify its passengers, otherwise will be apprehended.
“Governor Matawalle reiterated the ban on more than two persons riding a motorcycle and warned that those who break the law stand the risk of being shot at by security operatives.
“The Governor called on all citizens in the state to observe these rules to avoid unfortunate incidents as the security operatives will be empowered to treat offenders as suspected bandits. He said a committee will be constituted to ensure compliance to ensure added sanity in our communities,” the statement however reads.
On his part, the Commissioner of Police, CP Elkana vowed to ensure full enforcement and compliance to the set out measures in the state.
CP Elkana in a statement by his spokesman, SP Mohammed Shehu appealed to the residents irrespective of their Political affiliation to key into the ongoing crime prevention measures initiated to collectively rid the state of activities of unscrupulous elements.
“These are the new security measures introduced by the state government following due consultation with the security agencies and other critical stakeholders.
“I want to use this opportunity to inform the good people of Zamfara State that, the Police in collaboration with other security agencies are fully ready and have since commenced action to ensure full compliance of the directives. By tomorrow Monday, we are going to constitute a Joint Task Force which will be responsible for the full enforcement of the directives.
“Let me warn everybody that, Government and the Security Agencies are very serious in their quest to end the lingering security challenges in the state, and therefore the need to to comply with the current decisions is very necessary. We will not tolerate an attempt by any person or group to contravene any of these measures, as we are fully committed to ensuring that full wrath of the law is applied to the offenders.
“I equally want to encourage everyone irrespective of Political affiliation to key into the ongoing crime prevention measures initiated to collectively rid the state of activities of unscrupulous elements. It is also paramount to state categorically that, the new security measures are not Politically motivated, but the best interests of the state.
“Finally, I call on the good people of Zamfara State to remain law abiding and collaborate with Security agencies in ensuring that Peace and Security are restored to the state,” the statement however reads.
