Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari yesterday, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency in the state, in respect to the persistent attacks which has led to loss of lives in the state.
In his address to newsmen in Gusau, Yari said “I am also in support of the declaration of state of emergency if it will save the lives of people of the state,” while giving a warning to politicians against playing politics with the disturbing security situation in the state.
He also apportioned blame about the continued killings in the state on informants who support the bandits and kidnappers.
However, the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has earlier remarked in a tweet: “I have been reliably informed that the FG is plotting to hide under the killings in Zamfara State by armed bandits to impose emergency rule on the state. This is their response to the insistence of INEC not to allow APC field candidates for the 2019 general election in the state.
“With the emergency rule, there will only be Presidential and National Assembly elections in Zamfara in February next year while governorship and state House of Assembly elections will be postponed till May,” he had said.
Meanwhile Governor Yari said “We are talking about the lives of our people and this needs the coming together of all, so that the crisis can end. If the provisions of my office had allowed me to carry arms against the bandits, I would have done so.
“But, if I am not around, there are capable hands that collaborate with the security team in the fight against the bandits. The security men are doing their best.
“But, it is sad to know that some of the people involved in the kidnappings are close relatives or associates of the victims, which is part of the reasons the problem is persisting. We must all come together and expose anyone or group that is part of these hoodlums, and we should also pray for Allah’s intervention,” he added.
According to him, President Buhari was putting in effort to curb the situation and more security personnel have been deployed to the state.
“Before Buhari’s administration, we have few security personnel in this state, but today we have about 4,000 security personnel including Army, Police and Civil Defence.
“I held a meeting earlier today with traditional rulers and local government council chairmen. We are working hand in hand with all stakeholders to ensure that we end this situation,” he said.
He went on to urge the people of the state to stop accusing the government for security challenges.
He said “I am calling on communities to always support security agencies with information on suspicious movement in their respective areas.”
