June 27. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The government of the state of Zamfara, in northern Nigeria, has called on the civilian population to arm themselves due to an increase in insecurity in recent weeks.
State Communications Secretary Ibrahim Magaji Dosara has explained that Zamfara Police Commissioner Ayuba Elkanah has an order to issue gun licenses to all residents trained to use them in self-defense, reports the Guardian newspaper. .
“These acts of terrorism have been a cause of concern for the people and the state government,” said Dosara, for whom the local authorities “have had no other option” than to ask the civilian population to arm themselves “to defend themselves against the bandits “.
“The government is ready to help people, especially our farmers, to obtain basic weapons to defend themselves,” said Dosara, who also announced that centers will be set up for citizens to provide information on possible threats.
In this sense, the government has ordered the recruitment of another 200 guards for each of the 19 emirates that make up the state, so there will be about 500 for each of them and “thus strengthen their capabilities to deal with bandits” .
The Government’s announcement comes after armed groups have already taken control of some of the areas of the state, as is the case of the Mada district, in the Gusau area, the state capital, as reported by their residents, reports the Nigerian daily ‘Daily Post’.
“We haven’t bathed for several days because the famous bandits have taken over the entire area and defeated the security agents. As I speak with you now, I don’t know the whereabouts of my two wives and children, I don’t know if they have been kidnapped or have run away,” says Mallan Ibrahim Mada, a local resident.
As a consequence of this increase in violence, the local authorities have not only decided to arm the local population, but have also prohibited the circulation of motorcycles, with orders to shoot those who violate them, and have closed markets and stations service in the affected areas.
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