TheCable

Bello Matawalle, governor of Zamfara, says the insecurity challenges in the state are getting worse.

In a statewide broadcast on Saturday, Matawalle said banditry has reverted to how it used to be before his administration — despite efforts to curtail it.

About 90 persons were reportedly killed by bandits in Kadawa village in Zurmi LGA area of the state on Thursday night.

The governor, however, said none of the criminals and their sponsors will be spared “no matter how highly placed”.

“In recent weeks, the act of banditry has reverted to the ugly dimensions it had, prior to the coming of my administration,” he said.

“The marauders kill without regard for any rules of sanity. Women, the elderly, and children are not spared.

“As a result, a large number of people have been displaced in nearly every town in the state.

“You are witnesses to what we have accomplished from the beginning of our administration, particularly the peace and reconciliation efforts that we initiated and achieved.

“As a result, we have been able to shift our violent narratives to one of optimism and peaceful coexistence. Unfortunately, things suddenly took a dramatic turn and things are getting worse by the day.

“It is clear that some invincible hands are plotting evil against our people with the goal of making our state as terrifying as it were in the years gone by.

“My constant prayer is for Allah to reveal those who are perpetrating these cruel atrocities against our people.”

He assured the people of his government’s commitment to eradicate banditry and all types of criminality from the state.

The governor also urged community members to repel any attack against their communities.