The Zamfara State Government has advised the residents of the state to acquire guns to defend themselves against terrorist and bandit atta...
The Zamfara State Government has advised the residents of
the state to acquire guns to defend themselves against terrorist and bandit
attacks.
This directive is contained in a Special Government
Announcement signed by the State Commissioner for Information, Hon Ibrahim
Magaji Dosara.
In the special announcement SaharaReporters obtained on
Sunday, the government said it had directed the State Commissioner of Police to
issue licences to all those who qualify and are wishing to obtain such guns to
defend themselves.
It said that Zamfara State was ready to facilitate people,
especially their farmers to secure basic weapons for defending themselves,
adding that it will establish a centre for the collection of intelligence on
the activities of informants.
The statement read in part, "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, government
has resolved to take further measures to deal with the recent escalating
attacks, kidnapping and the criminal levies being enforced on our innocent
communities.
"This act 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 but to take the following measures:
"Government has henceforth, directed individuals to
prepare and obtain guns to defend themselves against the bandits, as government
has directed the state commissioner of police to issue licence 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.
"People must apply from the Commissioner of Police,
licence 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 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 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.
"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."
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