The Director General Press Affairs to the Zamfara State Governor Malam Yusuf Idris Gusau has disclosed that there are “credible intelligence” to suggest that Boko Haram will attack the North Western State.
Gusau speaking for the State Governor Bello Matawalle explained that the state government is in possession of credible intelligence reports indicating that some “vile politicians of the state origin are making clandestine moves to turn around the successes recorded in the area of peace and others by the present administration of Governor Bello Matawalle in the state.” The governor’s spokesperson failed to name the politicians.
Their sinister motives according to Idris is for personal gains explaining that they are also collaborating with dispersed elements of Boko Haram to launch series of attacks on innocent people of the State in order to scuttle the relative peace being currently enjoyed as a result of the peace and dialogue process initiated by the present administration.
“The intelligence report indicates that these cruel and mischievious elements have perfected plans to launch attacks in seven local Government areas of the state and in other strategic places within the state capital. Two important personalities in the state are also targeted for elimination should their dastardly plan succeed,” he said
The targeted local governments he said are Gusau, the state capital, Tsafe, Talata Mafara, Anka, Zurmi, Maru and Maradun while targeted areas are Gusau Central Mosque and Gusau Mammy Market where soft targets are known to gather both at day and night.
The Boko Haram elements as indicated by the intelligence report were said to have been recruited from far and wide to carry out these heinous acts slated for between Monday 23rd September to 25th October 2019.
Idris said, Governor Matawalle who has since prioritised Security of lives and properties of his people says he finds it very imperative to alert the people of the state especially people of the listed local government areas to be very vigilant, wary and watchful and promptly report to the Security Agencies nearest to them in the State acts that seem suspicious for Immediate action.
Matawalle according to Idris noted with total dismay the unpatriotic attitudes of the blood thirsty politicians and their collaborators to cause mayhem and unleashed destruction on innocent citizens lives and properties ostensibly to gain personal relevance while forgetting that Security is a collective responsibility of all well meaning citizens of the State irrespective of their political affiliation declaring that the move is completely unacceptable.
The Governor therefore appeals to drivers of commercial vehicles and motorcyclists in the state to be more security conscious and vigilant while carrying out their legitimate businesses and report any suspicious movement of persons, groups or goods to the Security agencies in the State.
The Governor further appealed to the people of the state not to panic as Government and the entire Security agencies in the state have taken all necessary steps to address the situation assuring that more security reinforcements and 24 hours surveillance and other precautionary measures are being instil in all the nooks and crannies of the State.
While further assuring of the safety of all and sundry Matawalle urged the people of the State to cooperate with the security operatives as stop and search will be conducted in likely flash points across the state.
The governor also appreciated the enormous contributions of repentant bandits and the Yansakai for embracing the peace process of his administration which resulted in the restoration of peace in recent times in the State and appealed for more support and cooperation in that direction.
Meanwhile, the governor has expressed his appreciation for the release by the now repentant bandits of 30 captives consisting of 15 women and 15 Males indigenes of Kaura Namoda local Government area of the State. The captives spent over 8 month in captivity.
Governor Bello Matawalle also appreciated the unalloyed support of the good people of the State for his administration to succeed especially through the daily prayers offered within and outside the state and called for intensified prayers for the sustaince of peace so far enjoyed in the State.