The Kaduna State Government on Wednesday announced shutdown of telecom services in some parts of the state, as it prepares for massive onslaught against bandits.
Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, at a news conference, recalled that Governor Nasir El-Rufai announced in a media chat on Tuesday that the state government had formally requested the Federal Government to enforce the shutdown of telecom services in parts of the state identified by security agencies as requiring such measures.
“The relevant federal agencies have today informed the Kaduna State Government that the processes for telecoms shutdown in parts of the state have commenced.
“As part of the steps to address the current security situation in Kaduna State and neighbouring states in the North-West and North-Central regions, Kaduna State Government has held several meetings with security agencies to adopt critical measures towards crushing bandits in their identified hideouts.
“The military and other security forces have been carrying out assaults on the identified locations. The state government is advised that certain measures are now necessary to assist the spirited efforts of these security agencies,” he said.
Aruwan disclosed that from Thursday, 30 September 2021, there would be complete ban on the use of motorcycles (Okada), for commercial or personal purposes, for three months in the first instance and ban on possession of or wielding of dangerous weapons.
He said tricycles were allowed to operate only from 6am to 7pm and that all tricycles must remove all curtains, while all vehicles used for commercial transport must be painted in yellow and black within 30 days.
Aruwan added that vehicles that are part of ride hailing services are to carry yellow and black stripes, while there is ban on the sale of petrol in jerry-cans or other containers in Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Chikun, Igabi, Kachia, Kagarko and Kajuru LGAs.
“Other containment measures previously communicated by the Kaduna State Government remain in place. These include: ban on felling of trees and forestry activities in Birnin Gwari, Giwa Igabi, Chikun, Kachia, Kagarko and Kajuru LGAs; ban on firewood and charcoal transportation, ban on the transportation of livestock into and out of the State and cessation of weekly markets in the frontline local government areas of Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Chikun, Igabi, Kajuru and Kawo weekly market of Kaduna North local government,” he said.
Aruwan said the state government regretted the severe strain and inconvenience these measures would place on peaceful and law abiding citizens.
“The Government therefore appeals for the understanding and cooperation of all residents of the affected areas, and indeed across the State. These difficult times have demand that difficult decisions be made.
“The measures have been adopted purely in the interest of our collective safety and security, and to aid our brave forces in their fight against these mindless criminals,” he said.
He lamented that too many lives had been lost, and that too many families had been shattered, saying that a small groups of wicked persons could not continue to hold the State to ransom, and force the people to live in perpetual fear.
