Insecurity: Resident Of Zamfara To Obtain Guns For Self-Defence

The government 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 possess firearms for self-defence.

This is in response to the state’s increasing rate of insecurity.

In order to protect themselves against the bandits who have taken over nearly all of the State, the State authorities ordered citizens to get ready and get guns.

This was stated in a press release that Hon. Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, the state’s information commissioner, signed and distributed 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, in obtaining simple weapons for self-defence.

He said, “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-defence.

“People should apply from the State Commissioner of police licenses to own their guns and other basic weapons for self-defence.”

The commissioner stated that a Secretariat would be set up to gather information on the activities of informants providing information to the bandits.

He said, “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.”

Dosara went on to say that the administration had urgently sought 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 additional 200 Community Protection Guards in each of the 19 Emirates, bringing the total to 500 each Emirate, in order to boost their manpower and improve their ability to combat bandits.

He said, “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.”

Alhaji Kabiru Balarebe, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), was assigned to serve as the chairman of the committee.

Among the other members are DIG Mamman Ibrahim Tsafe, Commissioner Security, Hon. Nasiru Masama, Commissioner for Youths, and Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, State Commissioner for Information.

The statement further promised that every effort will be made to get rid of all the terrorists terrorizing the entire State.