MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) – Nigeria’s Zamfara state will begin issuing licences to individuals to carry guns to defend themselves against armed gangs of kidnappers inflicting havoc within the nation’s northwest, the state’s commissioner for info mentioned on Sunday.
Armed gangs are rife throughout Nigeria’s northwest the place they rob or kidnap for ransom, and violence has been growing, the place thinly stretched safety forces usually fail to cease the assaults.
The gunmen, recognized regionally as bandits, function from distant forests within the northwest and their lethal assaults and kidnappings, focusing on villagers, farmers and travellers, have elevated for the reason that begin of the 12 months. Zamfara and neighbouring Kaduna are probably the most affected, authorities say.
Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, Zamfara commissioner for info mentioned the state governor had directed the state police commissioner to concern 500 gun licences in every of the 19 emirates within the state to these wishing to defend themselves.
“Government is prepared to facilitate individuals, particularly our farmers to safe primary weapons for defending themselves,” Dosara mentioned in an announcement.
Owning a gun in Zamfara wants permission from the state governor and state police commissioner.
Nigeria’s safety forces are stretched preventing an Islamist insurgency within the northeast of the nation, leaving particular person states to depend on vigilante teams to deal with the bandits, who transfer in giant numbers on bikes.
Last week, gunmen killed eight individuals and kidnapped 38 others in an assault on two church buildings in Kaduna, a Christian group mentioned, weeks after one other lethal assault within the south west.
Dosara mentioned Zamfara will recruit further group safety guards throughout the state to assist to combat the bandits whereas the state will even arrange a brand new paramilitary unit commanded by a retired police commissioner.
The state additionally banned the usage of motorcyles and promoting of petrol in three districts and one emirate, in areas that are probably the most affected by banditry, Dosara mentioned. The state is split into emirates and the emirates into districts.
“Anybody discovered using bike inside the areas is taken into account as bandits and safety businesses are thereby directed to shoot such individuals at sight,” mentioned Dosara.
(Reporting by Maiduguri newsroom, writing by MacDonald Dzirutwe. Editing by Jane Merriman)
