Carry out Buhari’s order, shoot anyone wielding AK-47 rifle —Gov. Matawalle to police

Bello Matawalle, governor of Zamfara, has asked the police and other security agencies in the state to implement President Muhammadu Buhari’s shoot-on-sight order against those bearing illegal arms.

The president gave the directive in March — at a time criminal activity in the state was at its peak.

In a series of tweets on Wednesday, Matawalle said only personnel of law enforcement agencies should bear arms.

The governor said anyone found to be in illegal possession of firearms should be “should be shot on the spot”.

He said his administration will support the security agencies with the necessary logistics to discharge their duties.

“The Zamfara State Police and other government security agencies are to effectively implement the Presidential order to shoot on sight at bandits, persons or group of people seen with Ak-47 or any weapons,” the governor said.

“Only those approved by law or the security agencies are to carry guns and other sophisticated weapons, anyone found in unlawful possession of guns should be shot on the spot.

 “Our administration will always support the police and other security agencies with all the necessary logistics so as to discharge their duties effectively.”

In recent times, Zamfara has recorded a surge in criminal activities such as banditry and kidnapping. Many lives and property have been lost to criminality.