Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has shut down all telecommunication services and directed a “complete ban on movement of motorcycles for three months” in some parts of the state as part of measures to curb activities of bandits.
Zamfara and Katsina states, which are the epicenter of banditry, had taken similar measures since the last two weeks.
State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, who announced this in Kaduna on Wednesday at a press conference, said the measures take effect on Thursday, September 30, 2021.
He said the ban affect the frontline local government areas of Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Chikun, Igabi, Kachia, Kagarko and Kajuru.
Other measures, according to Aruwan, are: complete ban on motorcycles, ban on possession of or wielding of dangerous weapons, restriction of tricycles movement from dusk till dawn, painting of commercial transport in yellow and black within 30 days, and ban of on the sale of petrol in jerrycans or other containers.
Other containment measures previously announced by El-Rufai, include: ban on felling of trees and forestry activities in Birnin Gwari, Giwa Igabi, Chikun, Kachia, Kagarko and Kajuru local government areas, ban on firewood and charcoal transportation, ban on the transportation of livestock into and out of the state, and ban on 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 commissioner said the military and other security forces had since begun assaults on the identified locations.
Aruwan said the measures were adopted in the interest of safety and security of the citizens, and to aid our brave forces in their fight against these mindless criminals.
He craves the understanding of the residents of the state, adding that the hardship they face will be temporary, as the government is confident that in the end, it will pay off.
