All telecommunication networks have been shut down in 14 of the 23 local government areas of Sokoto state as another strategy of routing bandits.
Governor Aminu Tambuwal disclosed this on Monday in an interview with Voice of America (VOA) Hausa Service.
He said the state had secured approval from the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isah Pantami, before enforcing the ban on Monday.
Tambuwal said the affected council areas are the most vulnerable to bandit attacks in the state.
The governor said following the ban in Zamfara, bandits have intensified attacks in Sokoto.
He said the measure has proved successful in Zamfara, as a result of which the bandits were fleeing from the state to Sokoto.
“Due to the ongoing military successes in Zamfara State, the bandits are fleeing to Sokoto,” the governor said.
He said the affected local governments include Dange Shuni, Tambuwal, Sabon Birni, Raba, Tureta, Goronyo, Tangaza, Isa, amongst others.
The governments of the two North-west states announced the suspension of telecommunications networks and banned weekly markets and sale of petrol in jerry cans, among other drastic measures to check the activities of bandits.
“Isa local government area shares boundary with Shinkafi LGA in Zamfara State, while Goronyo and Sabon Birni from west and north respectively have borders with the Republic of Niger in the east,” he said.
