Zamfara: We’ll extend telecom shutdown beyond 2 weeks – Matawalle


Zamfara state governor Bello Matawalle has said more than 100 informants have been arrested during the ongoing military operations aimed at riding the state of bandits.

He said the two-week shutdown of communication services will be extended.

Matawalle stated this in a BBC Hausa exclusive programme, ‘Ganimun hanya,’ aired Saturday morning.

“When I became governor I entered into treaty with the bandits, as part of their Allah’s given rights, but lots of them discarded the peace treaty, I noticed deceits and most of them went back to the bush and continued with their gangs.

“Anyone that does not support our decision he should be regarded as one of the terrorists.

“Anyone that challenged shutting down communication and food supply to them, is with the terrorists, he has hand and support them.”

He said those kicking against the decision, are doing so because they are not victims of banditry.

“It will be good for other state governments to shutdown communication, and we are talking they will take same decision,” he said.

Governor Matawalle said the operation is greatly yielding successes, adding that it is important for other nighbouring state governments to adopt similar measures in other to collectively deal with the bandits.

“We are gaining successes, we will surely extend the two weeks period, we will meet with heads of security agencies, because our aim is to secure our people,” he said.

According to the governor, the workings of informats given out information to the bandits is a major problem, because they wouldn’t know how and when to go after their targets untill they are informed.

“So far, more than 100 informants have been arrested,” he said.