The Zamfara State government has asked residents of the state to prepare to buy guns in self-defence against bandits terrorising them.
The Bello Matawalle government which gave the charge on Sunday, lamented the increased kidnapping for ransom, killings and extortion perpetrated by the bandits in the state.
Ibrahim Dosara, the State Commissioner for Information said this in a statement on Sunday.
“Government has henceforth, directed individuals to prepare and obtain guns to defend themselves against the bandits, as government has directed the state commissioner of police to issue licence to all those who qualify and are wishing to obtain such guns to defend themselves,” he said.
The state government also said it is “ready to facilitate people, especially our farmers to secure basic weapons for defending themselves. Government has already concluded an arrangement to distribute 500 forms to each of the 19 Emirates in the state for those willing to obtain guns to defend themselves.”
This comes a few days after President Muhammadu Buhari boasted in an interview with Bloomberg that his regime will leave Nigeria better secured.
“We leave Nigeria in a far better place than we found it. Corruption is less hidden for Nigerians feel empowered to report it without fear, while money is returned; terrorists no longer hold any territory in Nigeria, and their leaders are deceased; and vast infrastructure development sets the country on course for sustainable and equitable growth,” Mr Buhari had told Bloomberg.