Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari yesterday threw his weight behind the call on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency on the state.
Yari, addressing newsmen at a press briefing in Gusau, said, “I am also in support of the declaration of state of emergency if it will save the lives of people of the state.”
He warned politicians against politicising the disturbing security situation in the state.
“We are talking about the lives of our people and this needs the coming together of all, so that the crisis can end.
“If the provisions of my office had allowed me to carry arms against the bandits, l would have done so.
“But, if I am not around, there are capable hands that collaborate with the security team in the fight against the bandits.
“The security men are doing their best.
“But, it is sad to know that some of the people involved in the kidnappings are close relatives or associates of the victims, which is part of the reasons the problem is persisting.
“We must all come together and expose anyone or group that is part of these hoodlums, and we should also pray for Allah’s intervention,” Yari said.
Our correspondent reports that bandits had continued to elude security measures put in place by both the State and Federal Governments.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Interior, Lt.- Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd), has assured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s readiness to deploy additional security resources to end the destruction of lives and property in Zamfara.
Dambazau gave the assurance in a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Osaigbovo Ehisienmen yesterday in Abuja.
The minister said President Muhammandu Buhari had commiserated with the government and people of Zamfara, following attacks by suspected bandits, which claimed property and lives of innocent Nigerians.
Dambazau expressed Buhari’s deep concern about the unrepentant attitude of the perpetrators of senseless killings in the state.
“We are committed to working closely with the state government to deploy more security resources to the state,’’ Dambazau said.
Ehisienmen said the minister was further briefed by heads of security agencies in Zamfara, in order to put in place additional proactive measures to restore peace needed to protect agricultural and mining interests in the state.
According to the statement, Dambazau was received by the state’s Acting Gov. Mr Sanusi Rikiji and other members of Zamfara Executive Council.
The minister later proceeded to the palace of Sarkin Katsina Gusau, His Royal Highness Dr Ibrahim Bello, the Emir of Gusau.
He said Dambazau, while at the palace also delivered Buhari’s message, and assured the Gusau emirate of government’s commitment to ensure law and order in the state.
He said the minister also visited the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp, as well as the headquarters of Tsafe Local Government area, where protesters destroyed vehicles and other government property.
In another development, the Nigerian Army has confirmed that a Naval personnel was killed when troops repelled terrorists attack on the Headquarters of the 7 Brigade Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) at Baga in Borno.
The attack occurred on Wednesday at 7 p. m.
The army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, who confirmed this in a statement yesterday, said efforts were on going to clear the terrorists hiding in Baga and environs.
Usman urged the public to remain calm and disregard any contrary information circulating on the attack.
“We will keep you posted with development on the pursuit and mop up operations,” he added.
He said the Nigerian Air Force component has also been mobilised and are engaging the fleeing terrorists.