Zamfara Police React As Governor Matawalle Asks Residents To Arm Themselves

The Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, Ayuba Elkana, has stated that the Police have stopped giving licenses to citizens who wish to bear arms.

The police boss told The PUNCH on Sunday that the ban on firearms is still on despite new directives by Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State.

Naija News had earlier reported that following the increase in attacks against state residents, the Zamfara State government had authorized citizens to bear arms against bandit terrorists.

In a statement through Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, Commissioner for Information, the government asked the Commissioner of Police to issue a gun license to those eligible for it.

The government said it has resolved to take further measures to deal with the recent escalating attacks, kidnapping, and criminal levies enforced on innocent communities.

The Zamfara government said this act of terrorism had been a source of worry and concern to the people and government of the state.

The government said it had directed individuals to prepare and obtain guns to defend themselves against the bandits, adding that the state commissioner of police has been directed to issue licenses to all who qualify and are willing to obtain such guns to defend themselves.

It also stated that it is ready to facilitate people, especially farmers, secure basic weapons to defend themselves.

Reacting to Matawalle’s directive to his licenses, Elkana said he had not received such a directive from the Zamfara State government.

He said, “I have not received any directives, and also, there is a ban on firearms licenses, and we don’t give licenses.

“I am yet to receive any directive. Let me see the directive first before I can comment. I have not seen the directive, so I cannot comment on compliance.”

On if the government’s decision was a vote of no confidence on the police, the Elkana said, “There is nothing like a vote of no confidence, please. This is the farming season, and you cannot get police or any security to be following everybody to the farm. They are attacking people on the farm; that is the problem. It is not as if we are not doing our best; we are doing our best. Of recent, we rescued many people (from bandits).”