News

Zamfara government imposes curfew along Katsina, Sokoto borders as bandits grow bolder

Published

4 months ago

April 2, 2024

The Zamfara State Government has ordered immediate restriction of movement along the state’s borders with Katsina and Sokoto from 7:00 pm to 6:00 am.

The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Manir Haidara, disclosed this to journalists in Gusau on Tuesday.

Haidara noted that the directive was part of the decision of the State Security Council Meeting.

“As from today, the state government has ordered restriction of movement along Yankara border of Zamfara with Katsina state and Bimasa Zamfara border with Sokoto state from 7:00 pm to 6:00 am daily.

“This is to tackle the incessant kidnapping of travellers along the Sokoto-Gusau-Funtua highway.

“This is part of the state government’s measures to reduce and address kidnapping activities by bandits, especially along highways in the state,” he said.

According to the commissioner, all motorists and travellers are directed to abide by the government’s order.

“Security agencies are directed to monitor the two borders and ensure full compliance,” he added.

Zamfara state and the northwest at large have been under intense attack by armed bandits for some years.

Many of the bandit attacks occur in worship places, market areas, farms, as well as communities in their residences.

The Armed bandits earlier on Tuesday stormed the Samaru and Bulunku areas of the Gusau metropolis in Zamfara state, killing a provision store manager, Ashiru Maigoma, and abducting his pregnant wife and neighbour.

The armed bandits, numbering in large groups, also launched the attack in the early hours of Tuesday while the Muslim faithful were observing the famous congregational prayer known as Tahajjud in the state.