Zamfara Orders Security to Shoot Motorcycle Riders on Sight, Search House-to-House for Terrorists

Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has ordered a task force on security to begin a house-to-house search to flush out criminal elements in the 19 emirates of the state as the residents continue to live at the mercy of bandits.
Matawalle issued the directive in a statewide broadcast on Tuesday morning in Gusau after an expanded security council meeting that lasted for more than eight hours.
The governor said motorcycle riders who refuse to stop for search and who move after the designated hours should be shot on sight as terrorists and bandits now use a lot of motorcycles.
SaharaReporters had on Saturday reported that the terrorists abducted a woman identified as Fateema Muhammad Liman and her two children from their residence in Yarima Quarters, Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area.
The victims are said to be wife and children of one Dr Sirajo Hussaini Liman Kaura.
Governor Matawalle also announced restrictions on motorcycle movement in communities on the outskirt of Gusau from 9pm till dawn.
He directed security operatives to shoot on sight any motorcycle rider who violated the order and refused to stop at security points within the affected areas.
According to him, the measure followed reports of the use of motorcycles by bandits and other criminal elements to commit crimes within the state capital and its environs.
The governor also ordered hotel operators to scrutinise guests by means of valid identification before accommodating them.
“This measure is a part of government’s efforts to tackle insecurity in the state, as government is concern over usage of hotels by terrorists and criminals to perpetrate their heinous activities in the state,” he said.
“Any hotelier found violating the new order will have his hotel shut down and face prosecution according to the law. The state government would not take it lightly with anyone found disturbing the peace and security of the people.”
Matawalle said the government was committed to protecting the lives and property of the people.
Meanwhile, the council directed security operatives, particularly military and police, to scale up efforts to fight bandits and other criminals in Zamfara.