The Zamfara state government under the leadership of Governor Bello Matawalle has raised alarm over what it termed invasion of Boko Haram sects in seven local government councils of the state.
This was made known by the Director General Press Affairs to the governor, Yusuf Idris, while addressing newsmen in Gusau, the state capital Monday.
According to him, based on the credible intelligence reports by the security agencies, some disgruntled politicians of the state origin are making clandestine moves to destabilise the state.
“The sects based on the reports were intending for sinister and personal gains, collaborating with dispersed elements of Boko Haram, to launch series of attacks on innocent and peace-loving people of the state in order to scuttle the relative peace being currently enjoyed as a result of the peace and dialogue process initiated by the present administration,” he said.
He further hinted that in the intelligence report, the cruel and mischievous elements have perfected plans to launch the attacks in seven local government areas of the state and in other strategic places within the state capital.
According to the report, two important personalities of the state are also targeted for elimination should this dastardly act succeed.
The targeted local governments according to him included, Gusau which doubles as the state capital, Tsafe, Talata Mafara, Anka, Zurmi, Maru and Maradun.
The strategic places targeted are Gusau Central Mosque and Gusau Mammy Market where soft targets are known to gather both at day and night.
“The Boko Haram elements, were said to have been recruited from far and wide to carry out these heinous acts slated between September 23 and October 25, 2019 and governor Matawalle who has since prioritised security of lives and properties of his people says he finds it very imperative to alert the people of the state especially people of the listed local government areas to be very vigilant, wary, watchful and promptly report to the security agencies nearest to them in the state acts that seem suspicious for immediate action,” Yusuf hinted.
He stated that already gov Matawalle has expressed dismay over “the unpatriotic attitudes of some evil politicians and their collaborators to cause mayhem and visit destruction on innocent citizens, lives and properties ostensibly to gain personal relevance while forgetting that Security is a collective responsibility of all well meaning citizens of the State irrespective of their political affiliation.”
The governor, according to his media aide cautioned people particularly drivers of commercial vehicles and motorcyclists in the state to be more security conscious and vigilant while carrying out their legitimate businesses and report any suspicious movement of persons, groups or goods to the security agencies in the state.
The Governor further appealed to the people of the state not to panic as government and the entire security agencies in the state have taken all necessary steps to address the situation assuring that more Security reinforcements, 24 hours surveillance and other precautionary measures are being put in all the nooks and crannies of the state.
He urged the people not to panic with the presence of heavily armed security personnel within their domain as they were intended to ensure the safety of the people of the state and assured safety of all and sundry.
