The Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle, has ordered the closure of weekly markets and all filling stations, except those in the state capital and the 14 local government headquarters, as part of new measures aimed at containing the growing activities of bandits in the state.
He also directed that no filling station should sell petrol of more than N10, 000 to a single customer.
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Matawalle announced this after receiving 18 kidnapped students of the state’s College of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, Bakura.
The governor also banned the sale of petrol in jerry-cans and by the roadside (black market) as part of the measures to stop the supply of fuel to bandits.
He also suspended the transportation of livestock to and from the state and banned the operation of commercial cyclists from 6pm.
The governor, however, said the transportation of food within and outside the state must be verified to authenticate its destination; otherwise they will be seized and taken to an orphanage.
He also said, “Commercial motorcycle riders are allowed to carry three persons at a time. We also reduced the operation of commercial motorcycles and tricycles between 6am and 8pm in the state capital, while outside the state capital it is between 6am and 6:00pm.
“But those who render essential services, including health personnel, security men and journalists who identify themselves are allowed to ride motorcycles or tricycles beyond the stated time.”
The governor called on all the citizens in the state to observe the above rules as security operatives would be empowered to treat offenders as suspected bandits.
He said a committee would be constituted to ensure compliance.