‘Shoot on sight!’ — Zamfara gov asks operatives to kill anyone with illegal arms

Abdulaziz Yari, governor of Zamfara state, on Friday asked security agents to shoot and kill anyone caught carrying firearms illegally in the state.

Yari said this when he visited the emir of Anka to condole with the emirate over the killing of over 30 persons by gunmen in Bawan Daji village.

“This is an order from the president and from the governor of the state,” he said.

“We cannot continue to watch criminals as a parallel government, doing what they want and carrying sophisticated firearms, maiming and killing innocent citizens in the state.”

The governor directed the disbandment of five communities and the removal of the village and district heads of the affected communities in the emirate with immediate effect.

The traditional rulers were accused of harbouring bandits.

He said any person or group found associating with bandits should also not be spared but treated as the firearms carriers.

Responding, Attahiru Ahmad, emir of Anka, said “we need more security personnel who are also committed to carry out their responsibility effectively.

“What we are facing is armed banditry by trigger-happy criminals who attack innocent rural dwellers and steal their cash and property.”

Suspected bandits attacked Bawan Daji village for two consecutive days in the outgoing week.