Insecurity: Pressure Mounts On Buhari To Declare State of Emergency In Zamfara

The insecurity situation in the country has reached an alarming stage, just as pressure is being mounted on President Buhari to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara State.

 

Newsonline reports that President Buhari is being called to immediately declare state of emergency on Zamafar state to save the citizens from bandits.

 

Alhaji Sani Abubakar a businessman in Gusau, Zamafar State capital, said the time has come for the Federal government to quickly take action before bandits completely take over the state.

 

Abubakar said most villages in Zamafara are occupied by bandits; he stated that farmers in most communities in the state can only access their farms if allowed by the bandits.

 

Abubakarcalling on a declaration of state of emergency stated that the “Government cares less about the constant killings of innocent citizens and loss of their properties.”

 

He said poverty in the state was also responsible for banditry in Zamfara state.

 

“No pension and gratuity for retired civil servants who have laboured for the government for years, no employments. The people are in abject poverty.”

 

Recall that Governor Bello Matawalle had directed the citizens to buy guns and defend themselves against the bandits.

 

READ ALSO: Abducted Wife Of Zamfara Chairman, Ramatu, Delivers In Captivity

 

According to Abubakar, “The directive by the state government for every indigene to carry guns for self-defense is to legalize banditry and armed robbery”

 

“Some people may use their weapons to kill people unjustly because they have been authorized to carry guns for self-defense.”

 

Abubakar called on President Buhari to immediately declare state of emergency in the state to save most of the citizens who are mostly farmers.

 

While Abubakar disagreed with the directive of the state governor, Bello Matawalle on self-defense, Senator Shehu Sani, stated that arming locals was very important in combating the bandits.

 

Senator Sani argued that no security unit can know the hills and deserts of a community more than the residents.

 

President Buhari had declared a ‘no-fly zone’ on Zamfara state, but the effect of the order is yet to yield the desired results, as most communities in the state are constantly attacked by bandits.