Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, yesterday, signed into law a bill for the prohibition and punishment for banditry, cattle rustling, cultism, kidnapping, terrorism and other incidental offences 2022.

The executive bill was sent to the House of Assembly a few weeks ago. The bill is part of the state government’s new measures to curb crime and criminality especially banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling that have bedeviled the state for over a decade.

Governor Matawalle had, on Sunday, directed residents of the state to get personal firearms against bandits and kidnappers following the spate of attacks in Bakura, Bukuyyum, Tsafe, Gusau and Maru local councils.

Signing the bill into law at the Government House chamber, the governor insisted that his directives for citizens to obtain firearms against bandits is to assist security agencies in addressing the menace. He urged residents to support the programmes and policies of government, especially, in its quest to restore lasting peace in the state.

According to him, the state government relied on an extant legislation to direct residents to acquire weapons to defend themselves.

In a statement issued by Jamilu Magaji, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, on Tuesday, Magaji explained that the governor’s directive was part of the administration’s efforts to tackle protracted security challenges in the state.

It added that government was aware of the misgivings expressed in some quarters regarding the new measure. It noted that the measure was meant “to encourage the communities suffering almost daily from the inhuman aggressions from the bandits to acquire firearms to defend their communities.

“Self-defence is a natural instinct and has always been part of human survival strategy. As those entrusted with the safety of life and property of the people, we will do everything possible to uphold this responsibility within the ambit of the law.

“We are also aware that the security forces are doing their best to combat this formidable challenge. Their efforts are, however, hampered by the lack of adequate modern warfare equipment and the dearth of personnel.

“Our decision to mobilise people to secure their communities is, therefore, for the people to complement the efforts of the conventional security forces in dealing with banditry and fishing out informants.

“The acquisition and usage of firearms by the public, who desire to do so, would be governed by the Nigeria Firearms Act,” he further stated.

The statement added that the state government had explored all options to address the issue to no avail. It explained that apart from dialogue, reconciliation and disarmament, the government also had regular engagement with the Federal Government and neighbouring states, including the Nigerien authorities.

“We also shut down mobile telecommunication networks to give security forces the leeway to take the battle directly to the bandits,” the statement added.