Commissioner: Zamfara IDPs now returning to their communities — security has improved

Faika Ahmed, commissioner for humanitarian affairs and disaster management in Zamfara, says internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the state have started returning to their various communities.

According to NAN, Ahmed disclosed this on Friday at a media briefing in Gusau, the Zamfara capital.

She said the IDPs, comprising mostly women and children, were accompanied by security operatives and have been handed over to district heads in various communities.

The commissioner also said reports received from security agencies indicated that many banditry-affected regions are now safe.

She also said the state government has provided food items and logistics to over 400 displaced persons to enable them to settle properly, adding that there are over 600,000 displaced persons affected by banditry in the state.

There have been reports of military operations targeted at bandits’ camps across Zamfara.

The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) had also recently directed the suspension of telecommunication services in Zamfara.

Speaking on the development, Isa Pantami, minister of communications and digital economy, had said security agencies requested the shutdown of telecommunications serives in Zamfara as part of their strategy.

Meanwhile, Bello Matawalle, governor of Zamfara, has signed an executive order banning interstate transportation of livestock, and suspending weekly markets across the state.