Following rising insecurity arising from acts of banditry in Zamfara, the state government has shut down three local government areas, nine towns and villages, two markets and closed seven roads across the state.
A statement by the Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Magaji Dosara made available to newsmen on Thursday, said the measure was in consideration of the state security council’s recommendation, which followed the rising cases of kidnapping in the communities as well as along some major roads in the state.
He gave the names of the local government areas as Anka, Bukkuyum and Gummi; the towns and villages are Yarkofoji, Birnin Tudu, Rini, Gora Namaye, Janbako, Faru, Kaya, Boko and Mada, while the roads include Colony to Lambar Boko Road, Bakura to Lambar Damri Road, Mayanchi- Daki Takwas to Gummi Road, Daki Takwas to Zuru Road, Kucheri- Bawaganga – Wanke Road, Magami to Dangulbi Road and Gusau to Magami Road.
The state government also suspended all political activities in the state as well as political meetings and gatherings at individual residences till further notice.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders meeting scheduled to hold on Friday, October 14th, 2022 was also rescheduled for a new date to be announced.
Read the statement below:
This is to inform the general public that, following the recent spate of attacks on some communities across some local government areas of the state and the rising cases of kidnapping in the communities as well as along some major roads in the state, Government has considered and approved some recommendations by the Security Council aimed at curtailing the activities of the hoodlums.
Government is saddened and worried about the resurgence of the activities of bandits and the recent killings of some innocent people in Gusau, Tsafe, Gummi, Bukkuyum, Anka Bungudu, Maru, Maradun and Kaura Namoda local government areas.
Government therefore condoled with the families of the victims of the bandits’ attacks and prayed for the repose of the departed souls. Government is also touched by the killings of some of our gallant security operatives who lost their lives in our defense. May their souls rest in peace. Government condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the speedy recovery of those wounded in the attacks.
The general public is hereby inform that, following the loss of lives of our fellow brothers and sisters, His Excellency the Executive Governor of Zamfara State Honourable Dr. Bello Muhammad, MON (Matawallen Maradun) has ordered for the immediate suspension of all APC meetings and activities as part of his government concern and sympathy in this direction.
Stakeholders invited for Friday October 14th, 2022 APC Stakeholders Meeting are hereby advised to hold on for a new date for the meeting. Any inconveniences caused are regretted.
Furthermore, government has suspended all political activities in the state till further notice. Political meetings and gatherings at individual residences are also banned with immediate effect, henceforth.
Government at this point has found it necessary to introduce some stringent measures that may inadvertently hurt everybody. However, the measures are targeted at curtailing the recent excesses of the bandits with the overall objective of crippling their capacity to attack our communities.
The measures include:
1. Total shutdown of Anka, Bukkuyum and Gummi local government areas as well as the following towns and villages: Yarkofoji, Birnin Tudu, Rini, Gora Namaye, Janbako, Faru, Kaya, Boko and Mada.
All movements are henceforth restricted in the afore-mentioned local governments and towns. Security personnel have been directed to deal ruthlessly with anybody found violating the restriction order.
2. Government also considered closing down the markets at Danjibga and Bagega.
3. Government also closed down the following roads, until further notice:
- Colony to Lambar Boko Road
- Bakura to Lambar Damri Road
- Mayanchi- Daki Takwas to Gummi Road
- Daki Takwas to Zuru Road
- Kucheri- Bawaganga – Wanke Road
- Magami to Dangulbi Road
- Gusau to Magami Road
These measures are taken to facilitate and enable our gallant security operatives to conduct their operations without hindrances. By this announcement, security personnel are hereby directed to deal ruthlessly with any one found violating these orders.
Government sincerely regretted any inconvenience caused to the general public by these measures.