Zamfara State Government on Monday raised alarm over possible attacks on seven local government areas in the state by the dispersed Boko Haram elements.
The Director General, Press Affairs, Alhaji Yusuf Idris, at a press conference today said the state government was in possession of credible intelligence reports suggesting that some disgruntled politicians of the state origin were making clandestine moves to destabilize the state.
“They are intending for sinister and personal gains, collaborating with dispersed elements of Boko Haram, to launch series of attacks on innocent and peace-loving people of the state in order to scuttle the relative peace being currently enjoyed as a result of the peace and dialogue process initiated by the present administration.
“According to the intelligence report, the cruel and mischievous elements have perfected plans to launch the attacks in seven local government areas of the state and in other strategic places within the state capital.
“According to the report, two important personalities of the state are also targeted for elimination should this dastardly act succeed.
“The targeted local governments include Gusau, the state capital, Tsafe, Talata Mafara, Anka, Zurmi, Maru and Maradun. The strategic places targeted are Gusau Central Mosque and Gusau Mami Market where soft targets are known to gather both at day and night,” Yusuf said.
He said the Boko Haram elements were said to have been recruited from far and wide to carry out these heinous acts slated for between Monday 23rd September to 25th October 2019.
According to him, Governor Bello Matawalle has prioritised security of lives and properties of his people therefore he has found it very imperative to alert the people of the state especially those in listed local government areas to be very vigilant, wary and watchful and promptly report suspicious acts to the security agencies nearest to them for immediate action.
He said the governor has noted with total dismay the unpatriotic attitudes of some evil politicians and their collaborators to cause mayhem and visit destruction on innocent citizens’ lives and properties ostensibly to gain personal relevance while forgetting that security is a collective responsibility of all well-meaning citizens of the state irrespective of their political affiliation.
The governor therefore appealed to people particularly drivers of commercial vehicles and motorcyclists in the state to be more security conscious and vigilant while carrying out their legitimate businesses and report any suspicious movement of persons, groups or goods to the security agencies in the state.
He further appealed to the people of the state not to panic as government and the entire security agencies in the state have taken all necessary steps to address the situation.
He assured of more security reinforcements, 24 hours surveillance and other precautionary measures being put in all the nooks and crannies of the state.
He also appreciated the enormous contributions of repentant bandits and the Yansakai for embracing the peace process of his administration which resulted in the restoration of peace in recent times in the state and appealed for more support and cooperation in that direction.
