In a resolve to end the dastard activities bedevilling Zamfara state which has forced the business community to flee the state, the Local government chairmen, Emirs, Fulani leaders, security agencies and other stakeholders on Wednesday held a crucial meeting on how to end the unfortunate development in the state.
Addressing the gathering at the state ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the commissioner of the ministry, Hon. Bello Dankande Gamji explained that the state government would no longer handle the ugly situation very freely, saying that the issue of security is the responsibility of everyone.
The commissioner warned that if the Fulani community continue with the dastard activities, the state government would have no other option than to embark on arresting all the Fulani women selling fura da Nunu in the urban areas of the state.
Hon.Gamji noted that the aim of the meeting was to find a lasting solution to the gory episodes persisting in the state, giving the Fulani leaders the mandate to have serious meeting with the armed bandits and know the real problem between the Fulani’s and the Hausa’s in the state.
The commissioner noted that if there is no fruitful result with the armed bandits, the government would take drastic actions against them by engaging another 8500 additional youths who would serve as Joint Task Force (JTF) bringing the JTF to a total of 17,000 members in the state.
Hon.Dankande said that two civilian joint Taskforce would be attached to each filling station to ensure that no petrol station sell fuels in Jerrican, adding that nobody would be a sacred cow or untouchable no matter whose ox is gored.
Speaking, the state commissioner of police, Mr.Celestine Okoye warned that the ban placed on motorcycle riders from 7.00pm – 7.00am is still in force, adding that every drastic measure would be taken against the notorious armed bandits to ensure peace and harmony in the state.
In a Swift reaction, the Fulani leaders said it was not fair for the state government to jump into conclusion that the Fulani people are the perpetrators of all the crimes in the state.
They noted that most of Fulani people have been tendered homeless and poor by the armed bandits as they are being killed on daily basis, taking away their domestic animals and cash.
However, they said they would help the state government by waging war against the notorious armed bandits ravaging the entire state.
