By 
…Boosts Community Protection Guards’ operation with vehicles, motorcycles
Tayo AFOLABI
Zamfara State government has signed law that provides a legal instrument for prosecuting banditry-related offenders as it boosts operations of Zamfara Community Protection Guards with 20 Special Purpose Vehicles and 1,500 motorcycles.
This was announced by Governor Bello Matawalle in a broadcast to the people of the state on Tuesday morning.
Matawalle said, “On the 28th of June this year, I assented to the bill on Prohibition and Punishment for Banditry, Cattle Rustling, Cultism, Kidnapping and Other Incidental Offences, 2022.
“The law provides a legal instrument for prosecuting banditry-related offenders.
“Based on the new law, anyone found guilty of banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, cultism, or serving as a bandits’ informant is subject to the death penalty.
“Similarly, anyone found guilty of supporting in any manner the aforementioned offences faces a sentence of life in prison, 20 years in jail, or ten years in prison, without the option of a fine.”
The governor stated that the measures were part of his administration’s unrelenting efforts to tackle the problem of banditry that has plagued the state and the neighbouring northwestern states for more than a decade.
Matawalle maintained that he has been developing strategies to stem the tide of banditry across the state ever since the inception of his administration.
“Gladly, the latest measures are beginning to yield the intended results despite the pockets of attacks here and there by the bandits,” Matawalle said.
The governor described the activities of the informants as a major change towards addressing insecurity challenges in the state, expressing optimism that the situation would soon come to an end.
He said, “With regards to the issue of informants, which is the major impediment in the fight against banditry, I am glad to inform the peace-loving people of Zamfara State that we have succeeded in apprehending many of them.
“They are currently being interrogated before being prosecuted in accordance with the fullest extent of the law”.
Meanwhile, Governor Bello Matawalle has procured 20 Special Purpose Vehicles and 1,500 motorcycles to support operations of Zamfara Community Protection Guards.
The governor said that the vehicles and motorcycles were fully equipped with lawful weapons for the smooth take-off of the community protection guards.
According to him, the government would continue to improve the newly established guards to fully complement the security forces in tackling criminality in the state.
Matawalle, who noted the return of relative peace in some Local Government areas in the state, announced a mobile toll-free number, 112, for citizens to call during emergencies in any part of the state.
However, he banned the use of motorcycles from 8.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m. in some communities on the outskirts of Gusau.
Comments