The administration of Zamfara State has instructed Mr. Ayuba Elkanah, the State Police Commissioner, to give permits to citizens of the State who meet the requirements to own firearms for self-defense.
This was a response to the state’s increasing prevalence of insecurity.
In order to protect themselves against the bandits who have taken over nearly all of the State, the State authorities also ordered citizens to be ready and get firearms.
This was stated in a press release that Hon. Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, the state’s information commissioner, signed and sent to journalists in Gusau, the state’s capital.
According to the statement, the government was quite willing to help individuals, particularly farmers in rural regions, get simple weapons for self-defense.
“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 for self-defense.
“People should apply from the State commissioner of police licenses to own their guns and other basic weapons for self-defense,” he said.
According to the commissioner, a Secretariat would be established for the collection of intelligence on the activities of informants supplying information to the bandits.
“People are strictly warned and advised to ensure that any information or intelligence about informants must be true and nothing but the truth as all information on the informants must carry correct data on the suspects.
“Such information must include their pictures, correct names, addresses, occupation and witnesses to testify the genuineness of the information given as the government will take punitive measures against anyone found to the bandits’ informants.
“Any person who gives wrong information against anyone would also be made to serve the same punishment with the informant and will be treated as such,” he stated.
Dosara went on to say that the administration had urgently asked the State House of Assembly to enact the informant bill before it became law so that the State government could implement the bill’s proposed harsh actions against informants.
The commissioner continued by stating that the government has directed the hiring of an extra 200 Community Protection Guards in each of the 19 Emirates, bringing the total to 500 each Emirate, in order to boost their personnel and improve their ability to combat robbers.
“To further ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of these measures and as well the proper implementation of the measures, the government has ordered the formation of a special committee that would be receiving intelligence on the activities of the informants,” he said.
The committee would be headed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Kabiru Balarebe.
Others members include DIG Mamman Ibrahim Tsafe, Commissioner Security, Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, the State commissioner for information, Hon. Nasiru Masama, commissioner for youths, among others.
The statement added that no stone will be left unturned in order to eliminate all the terrorists terrorizing the entire State.
