Zamfara Government Closes TV, Radio Stations Over Worsening Insecurity

The Zamfara state government has ordered the closure of some federal and state-owned media houses due to the worsening security situation in the state.

According to a statement issued by the information commissioner, Ibrahim Dosara on Saturday night, the affected media houses are Radio Nigeria (Pride FM); NTA; Gamji TV; Gamji FM and Al’umma TV, all in Gusau.

The state government directed the police commissioner to enforce the order by apprehending violators.

On Friday, the state government declared a lockdown in nine major towns in three local government areas in Zamfara State over the resurgence of bandit attacks on communities.

The affected towns are Yarkofoji, Birnin Tudu, Rini, Gora Namaye, Janbako, Faru, Kaya, Boko and Mada, while the local government areas are Anka, Bukkuyum and Gummi.

The directive was contained in a statement issued by Dosara on Friday in Gusau.

Governor Bello Matawalle also ordered the immediate suspension of all meetings and activities of the All Progressives Congress to show the government’s concern and sympathy for the affected people and communities.

Security operatives were directed to enforce the new directives.

“The government announces a lockdown in nine major towns to stop the spate of the attacks on such communities in the affected areas.

“These are Yarkofoji, Birnin Tudu, Rini, Gora Namaye, Janbako, Faru, Kaya, Boko and Mada towns.

“Government also announced the closing down of markets in Danjibga and Bagega as well as Colony to Lambar Boko Road, Bakura to Lambar Damri Road and Mayanchi- Daki Takwas to Gummi Road.

“Others are the Daki Takwas to Zuru Road, Kucheri- Bawaganga – Wanke Road, Magami to Dangulbi Road and Gusau to Magami Road.

“The measures were taken to facilitate the efforts of security operatives in flushing out criminal elements in those areas.

“Stakeholders invited for the Friday APC Stakeholders’ Meeting are hereby advised to hold on for a new date for the meeting.

“Furthermore, government has suspended all political activities in the state till further notice.

“Political meetings and gatherings at individual residences are also banned with immediate effect,” Dosara added.

The state government also said it was “saddened and worried about the resurgence of the activities of bandits and the recent killings of some innocent people in Gusau, Tsafe, Gummi, Bukkuyum, Anka Bungudu, Maru, Maradun and Kaura Namoda local government areas”.

“Government is also touched by the killings of some of our gallant security operatives who lost their lives in our defense.

“Government, therefore, condoled with the families of the victims of the bandits’ attacks and prayed for the repose of the departed souls,” the statement added.

On Saturday, the state governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Dr. Dauda Lawal condemned an attack on the members of the party by thugs allegedly sponsored by the state government.

He described the attack as the height of lawlessness, brigandage, and provocation capable of heightening the tension in the state.

A statement issued by the Dauda Lawal Media Centre in Gusau stressed that the PDP candidate and his entourage were attacked by armed thugs, last night while entering the Zamfara state capital.

“Governor Matawalle is trying to stifle the electioneering activities of the Peoples Democratic Party and its governorship candidate, Dr. Dauda Lawal,” the statement said in part.