Insecurity: Obtain guns to defend yourselves, Zamfara govt orders residents

The Zamfara State Government has directed residents of the state to obtain guns to defend themselves against bandits’ invasion.

This became necessary following the increase in the activities of bandits in various parts of the state.

In a statement obtained by The PUNCH on Sunday, the Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, revealed that the government has concluded arrangements to facilitate residents to acquire basic weapons.

The statement partly read, “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 licences 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 an 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, license 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.”

The government also set up an 11-man special committee to receive intelligence on the activities of informants.

Headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Kabiru Balarabe Sardau, the committee comprises of top government officials with Bello Bakyasuwa Soja as the secretary.