Youths with guns slung on their soldiers take pictures as Zamfara State Govt asks residents to take up arms against bandits

Frustrated by unrelenting attacks on its people, the Zamfara State Government has directed residents to obtain guns to defend themselves against bandits.

A statement signed by the State Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, said the government is ready to facilitate securing of basic weapons for the people, especially farmers, to defend themselves.

Zamfara authorities also directed the Commissioner of Police to issue a gun licence to those eligible to bear arms.

The announcement was all that some youths need to parade the streets with guns slung on their shoulders. (See above and below)

A journalist, Abdul Balarabe, tweeting with @abdul_donjay, who posted the pictures wrote:

“People of Zamfara State have started carrying guns for self-defence in order to defend themselves against bandits attacks in the state.”

The statement by the government reads:

“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, the 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 than to take the following measures:

1. The government has henceforth, directed individuals to prepare and obtain guns to defend themselves against the bandits, as the 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. The government has already concluded arrangements to distribute 500 forms to each of the 19 Emirates in the state for those willing to obtain guns to defend themselves.
2. People must apply from the Commissioner of Police, a license to own guns and other basic weapons to be used in defending themselves.
3. A secretariat or centre will be established for the collection of intelligence on the activities of informants.
4. 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 (genuiness) 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.

To further ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of these measures, as well the proper implementation of these measures, the government has also decided as follows:

1. Formation of a special committee to receive intelligence on the activities of informants. This committee has the following composition:
2. Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe Sardau( Lamidon Kaura)

SSG as Chairman

2. Alh Ibrahim Sulaiman

Chief of Staff to the Governor – Member

3. D I G Mamman Ibrahim Tsafe

Commissioner Security – Member

4. Ibrahim Magaji Dosara

Commissioner Information – Member

5. Hon Nasiru Masama

Commissioner Youth – Member

6. Sani Abdullahi Wamban Shinkafi

Honorary Adviser to the Gov – Member

7. Hon Abubakar Mohammed Dauran

Special Adviser Security – Member

8. Hon Sanusi Wanzammai

Commissioner, State INEC – Member

9. Captain Mai Riga T/ Mafara – Memner
10. Sani Gwamna Mayanchi – Member
11. Bello Bakyasuwa Soja to serve as the secretary to the committee and their terms of reference will be given to them by the office of the SSG on Monday.
12. Formation of the additional paramilitary unit to support control and command to properly and effectively reinforce the operations of our community protection guards CPG.

This newly established unit has the following structures and appointments:

1. Retired Commissioner of Police Mamman Anka as Commandant – General
2. Capt Aminu Mada rtd – Deputy Commandant General Operations
3. Sulaiman Lawali Zurmi – Commandant Operations
4. Bashir Nafiu Gusau – Commandant Mobilization.
5. Alh Aliyu Na’ibi Karakkai – Commandant Surveillance and Intelligence.

Other members of the control and command centre of the Community Protection Guards are.

6. Shi’itu Makera T/Mafara
7. Bello Dankurmi
8. Dogo Na Bukkuyum
9. Re – constituting the state committee on the prosecution of banditry-related offences.

The government has also reconstituted the state committee on the prosecution of bandits-related offences as follows:

1. Dr Sani Abdullahi Wanban Shinkafi as Chairman
2. Ibrahim Sulaiman, Chief of Staff to the Governor – Member
3. Rtd Justice Nasiru Umar Gummi – Member
4. CP Mamman Anka rtd – Member
5. Mamuda Aliyu Maradun – Member
6. Rep of the Nigerian Army – Member
7. Rep of the Nigeria Police – Member
8. Rep of the DSS – Membet
9. Rep of the Civil Defence Corps – Member
10. Rep of Hunters – Member, while
11. Barr Aminu Junaidu Kaura