The Zamfara State Government has advised the residents of the state to acquire guns to defend themselves against terrorist and bandit attacks.
This directive is contained in a Special Government Announcement signed by the State Commissioner for Information, Hon Ibrahim Magaji Dosara.
In the special announcement obtained by SaharaReporters on Sunday, the government said it had directed the State Commissioner of Police to issue licences to all those who qualify and are wishing to obtain such guns to defend themselves.
It said that Zamfara State was ready to facilitate people, especially their farmers to secure basic weapons for defending themselves, adding that it will establish a centre for the collection of intelligence on the activities of informants.
The statement read in part, “Following increase in the activities of bandits in various parts of the state and the government commitment to ensure adequate security and protection of lives and property of the citizenry in the state, particularly during this rainy season, government has resolved to take further measures to deal with the recent escalating attacks, kidnapping and the criminal levies being enforced on our innocent communities.
“This act of terrorism has been a source of worry and concern to the people and government of the state. Therefore, in order to deal decisively with the situation in our respective communities, government has no option but to take the following measures:
“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 licence 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 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, licence 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.
“People are strictly warned and advised to make sure that any information or intelligence about an informant must be true and nothing but the truth, as all information on such informants must carry correct data on the suspects, including their pictures, correct names, address, occupation and witness to testify the genuity of the information given, as government is taking punitive measures against anyone found as informant. Any person who gives wrong information against anybody will be served the same punishment with an informant and will be treated as such.
“Government has requested the state House of Assembly to pass, as matter of urgency, the informants bill before it, to enable government take the drastic measures on informants as contained in the bill.”
Meanwhile, a Catholic priest popularly known as Rev. Father Odia was on Sunday morning kidnapped by gunmen in Ikabigbo community, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
The gunmen reportedly invaded residence of the priest when he was preparing for Sunday Mass and in the process whisked away and later killed him
In a statement by Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa Director of Social Communications Catholic Diocese of Auchi it reads ‘’With heavy hearts but with total submission to the will of God, we announce the death of our priest Rev. Fr. Christopher Odia, who was killed by his abductors after being kidnapped this morning 26th June 2022 at about 6.30am in his rectory while coming out to go for Sunday Mass at St. Michael Catholic Church Ikabigbo, Uzairue, Edo State.
Until his death, Fr Odia was the Administrator of St Michael Catholic Church, Ikabigbo and also the Principal of St. Philip Catholic Secondary School Jattu. He was aged 41 and was ordained a priest in 2012.
Burial arrangements will be announced by the Diocese later
In another development, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has approved the recruitment of additional 500 corps into the State Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN), codenamed Amotekun.
This is contained in a statement issued by the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, on Sunday in Ibadan.
The statement indicated that Makinde announced the approval during the monthly security meeting with chairmen of local government areas, heads of security agencies, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the state.
The governor said recruiting new corps would enhance Amotekun’s performance and further deepen the security architecture of the state.
Makinde said the meeting, held at the House of Parliament within the premises of the State House of Assembly, was part of his administration’s efforts to enhance the security of lives and property in the state.
He added that the meeting was to get the situation report from various quarters on security as well as to dialogue on what to do as stakeholders and finetune necessary steps.
The governor said the outcome would help the government to put necessary machinery in place for a safer environment.
He emphasized that security issue was a collective responsibility, “therefore all hands must be on deck in order to curtail insecurity facing the country, in which Oyo State is not exempted.
Security is everyone’s business and if we all play our parts well, we will have a safer and more secured environment.
“Though the security of lives and property is a paramount responsibility of government, but the government cannot do it alone except with cooperation of the entire citizenry.”
Makinde used the occasion to appreciate the security agencies in the state for their unrelenting support towards making peaceful co-existence among the people of the state possible.
He urged them to keep the up pace in order to allow for more influx of investments and commercial growth.
In his remarks, a former governor of the state, Sen. Rasheed Ladoja, commended Makinde for being proactive in the area of security which has greatly helped the state.
Ladoja urged all stakeholders and members of the public to be vigilant and ensure the safety of their lives. (NAN)
