Defend Yourself Against Bandits, Zamfara Govt Tells Residents

Residents in Zamfara State have been asked to protect themselves against bandit attacks while abiding by the law.

The state of North-West is one of the most heavily affected by banditry in the world.

“People must not take laws into their hands, but should take due legal process in protecting their respective communities when attacked by any group of hoodlums,” a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Information,  Ibrahim Magaji Dosara on Wednesday said.

“The state government has accepted people in the bandit’s vulnerable areas in the state to come out en masse to defend themselves whenever bandits attack their community.”

Meanwhile, the police have arrested 35 suspects, “mostly kidnappers, spies, and those aiding and abetting banditry in the state,” according to the release.

The suspects “have since been interrogated and admitted to their various offences, and have already been transferred to Abuja for further action before trial,” according to the statement.

According to the statement, some of the suspects detained are government employees.

“Government therefore seriously warn bandits to renounce the criminality and embrace the state government dialogue and peace initiative to become good citizens, stressing the government intention to take punitive measures against criminals, as a matter of urgency,” the statement said.

“The state government also strongly warn traditional rulers to keep vigil eyes to landlords who give out their houses to people with suspicious character within their domains, as government will soon start to arrest any landlord found giving out his or her property on rent to bandits, kidnappers, informants and dealers of weapons for the bandits.

“Government will not hesitate to demolish any house given out on rent to criminals.”

In addition, the state government announced that the ban on commercial activities at four markets in the state had been lifted.

“The action follows several calls by concern citizens both within and outside the state, to lift the ban to allow the common man have access to his basic needs during the holly month of Ramadan. The affected markets are Magami, Wanke, Dansadau and Dauran,” the statement said.

“The four markets were ban from any activities last week following attacks and killing of innocent people within the affected communities.”