The Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle has been justifying why he asked his people to get firearms for self-defence, even as the military, police authorities, as well as a northen group oppose his directive.
He spoke as the Medical Director of the government-owned Dansadau General Hospital became another in a series of spiralling victims of kidnappers in the troubled state.
Monitoring organisations have lost count of kidnapped victims in the state and the north-west, indeed the country, as many rural folks are not not even factored into the list of victims. It is said to be a daily traumatic experience for rural dwellers.
For instance, in Uchindawa community in Mairiga Local Government Area of Niger State, 30 rural folks were abducted. The bandits asked for N10 million and two motorbikes to release the abductees. The community rallied round to get the funds and bikes; but as soon as these were delivered, the criminals reneged and asked for an extra N7 million.
Shortly after, they went off the grid and the anxious community people have been unable to reach them now for the third week running, an affected father informed Everyday.ng.
In another incident, a young lady in Kwantakarmawa community in Katsina State, who was kidnapped in March, but escaped was again kidnapped two weeks ago, with the bandits asking for N50 million for her. The family and friends have resorted to prayers.
Sadly, it was gathered, the men in the communities in that part of Katsina now sleep in the forests at night because they are marked for death when the bandits come calling.
In the Kogi axis, the kidnappers of a retired professor of biological sciences and prominent evangelist, Professor Duro Adegboye, were said to have walked the octogenarian bare-footed through the forest for tens of kilometers, while asking for an N80 million ransom for him. A group of persons offered N10 million for him, but was rebuffed at the last minute by his holders. The abductors are insisting for N80 million, a source volunteered.
https://everyday.ng/2022/06/professor-of-biological-sciences-and-prominent-christian-evangelist-professor-duro-adegboye-kidnapped-in-kogi/
On the kidnapped Medical Director of Dansadau General Hospital, Dr Mansur Muhammad, the Nigerian Medical Association in Zamfara State says “NMA Zamfara received with deep shock the report of kidnap of Medical Director General Hospital Dansadau, Dr Mansur Muhammad.”
https://everyday.ng/2022/06/irabor-northern-forum-fault-zamfara-governor-for-asking-citizens-to-bear-arms/
A statement signed by Chairman of the Zamfara NMA, Dr Mannir Bature, adds, “The unfortunate incident happened on Saturday June 25th, 2022 at Mashayar zaki along Dansadau – Magami Road in Zamfara State.
“We urge our members to include him and other abductees in our prayers while the association works with relevant authorities to ensure his timely release in good health.”
Dansadau is in Maru Local Government Area, about 100km from Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
As the wicked and lucrative business continues to thrive in the face of government’s helplessness, palpable fear of rural dwellers and travellers, Matawalle of Zamfara State has said that the State Government relied on an extant legislation to direct residents to acquire weapons to defend themselves.
This was contained in a statement issued by Jamilu Magaji, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, and made available to newsmen on Tuesday.
Magaji stated that the governor made the remarks while inaugurating some security committees in Gusau.
The statement explained that the governor’s directive was part of the administration’s efforts to tackle protracted security challenges in the state.
It added that the State Government was aware of the misgivings expressed in some quarters regarding the new measure.
It noted that the measure was meant “to encourage the communities suffering almost daily from the inhuman aggressions from the bandits to acquire firearms to defend their communities.
“Self-defence is a natural instinct and has always been part of human survival strategy.
“As those entrusted with the safety of lives and property of the people, we will do everything possible to uphold this responsibility within the ambit of the law.
“We are also aware that the security forces are doing their best to combat this formidable challenge.
“Their efforts are, however, hampered by the lack of adequate modern warfare equipment and the dearth of personnel.
“Our decision to mobilise people to secure their communities is, therefore, for the people to complement the efforts of the conventional security forces in dealing with banditry and fishing out informants.
“The acquisition and usage of firearms by the public, who desire to do so, would be governed by the Nigeria Firearms Act,” he further stated.
The statement added that the state government had explored all options to address the issue to no avail.
It explained that apart from dialogue, reconciliation and disarmament, the government also had regular engagement with Federal Government and neighbouring states, including the Nigerién authorities.
“We also shut down mobile telecommunication networks to give security forces the leeway to take the battle directly to the bandits,” the statement added.
The governor further said that his administration had provided modern RUGA settlement for nomads and logistics support to security agencies, including vehicles and drones.
He said that in recent weeks, the state witnessed increased attacks in some parts of Gusau, Bukkuyum and Gummi Local Government Areas.
Matawalle said that government had provided 20 new Hilux Vans and 1,500 motorcycles to the committee on security to commence operation.
▪︎ Additional reports by NAN
