By; AMOS TAUNA, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government will from Thursday, September 30, 2021, adopt stringent measures to assist the spirited efforts of security agencies towards crushing bandits that have been terrorising the state in their identified hideouts.
The state Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan while briefing newsmen in Kaduna, said the state government has held several meetings with security agencies to adopt measures that would curb the activities of bandits in the state.
Some of the measures according to the Commissioner, are the complete ban on the use of motorcycles (Okada), for commercial or personal purposes, for three months in the first instance and ban on possession of or wielding of dangerous weapons.
He added that some areas in the state would witness shut down of telecommunication networks, stressing that the affected areas would not be disclosed for security reasons.
Samuel Aruwan said, “Tricycles are allowed to operate only from 6am to 7pm. All tricycles must remove all curtains. Movement of all tricycles are restricted from dusk till dawn (7PM to 6AM). “All vehicles used for commercial transport must be painted in yellow and black within 30 days.
“Vehicles that are part of ride hailing services are to carry yellow and black stripes. “Ban on the sale of petrol in jerry-cans or other containers in Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Chikun, Igabi, Kachia, Kagarko and Kajuru local government areas.”
He explained that other containment measures previously communicated by the Kaduna State Government remain in place, including the ban on felling of trees and forestry activities in Birnin Gwari, Giwa Igabi, Chikun, Kachia, Kagarko and Kajuru local government areas and ban on firewood and charcoal transportation. Others are the ban on the transportation of livestock into and out of the State and cessation of weekly markets in the frontline local government areas of Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Chikun, Igabi, Kajuru and Kawo weekly market of Kaduna North local government. “The Kaduna State Government regrets the severe strain and inconvenience these measures will place on peaceful and law abiding citizens. The Government therefore appeals for the understanding and cooperation of all residents of the affected areas, and indeed across the State. These difficult times have demand that difficult decisions be made,” the Commissioner explained. He noted that the measures have been adopted purely in the interest of the collective safety and security, and to aid our brave forces in their fight against these mindless criminals.
He regretted that too many lives have been lost, and too many families have been shattered, adding that small groups of wicked persons cannot continue to hold us to ransom, and force us to live in perpetual fear.
The Commissioner stated that the government craves the understanding of all citizens, saying that the hardship citizens face would be temporary, and are confident that in the end, it will pay off.
