Matawalle restricts okada operations in Zamfara, orders shooting of violators

Bello Matawalle, governor of Zamfara, has announced the restriction of motorcycle movement in some communities in Zamfara from 8pm to 6am.

He ordered the security agencies to shoot on sight, any motorcycle rider who violates the order and refuses to stop at security checkpoints within the affected areas.

Matawalle gave the directive during a broadcast on Tuesday, in Gusau.

The broadcast was preceded by an expanded security council meeting.

According to him, the measure follows reports of the use of motorcycles by bandits and other criminal elements to perpetrate criminal activities within the state capital and its environs

He said the measure is to restore law and order and ensure peace in the state.

He asked the emirs, who were part of the council meeting, to be vigilant and report suspicious persons or strange movements in their respective domains to security agents.

“Considering the recent invasion of bandits in some areas on the outskirts of Gusau, the state capital, riding of motorcycles is hereby banned from 8pm to 6am in all areas and outskirts of Gusau town,” he said.

“These areas include Mareri, Damba, Tsunami, Tsauni, Barakallahu, Samaru, Gada Biyu, and Janyau east.

“Security forces are hereby ordered to shoot anyone riding a motorcycle between 8 pm and 6 am on the outskirt of Gusau, who refuses to stop when ordered to do so by them.”

The governor also ordered hotel operators to scrutinise their guests by means of valid identification before accommodating them.

“This measure idols part of  government’s efforts to tackle insecurity in the state, as government is concerned over usage of hotels by terrorists and criminals to perpetrate their heinous activities in the state,” he said.

“Any hotelier found violating the new order will have his hotel shut down and face  prosecution according to the law.

“The state government would not take it lightly with any one found disturbing the peace and security of the people.”

Matawalle said the government is committed to protecting lives and property of the people.

“Security of lives and property of the citizenry is a basic function of government anywhere,” he said.

“My government is doing everything humanly possible in accordance with the laws of the land to ensure the discharge of this responsibility.”