Matawalle urges police: Follow Buhari’s orders and shoot anyone brandishing an AK-47 rifle

The governor of Zamfara, Bello Matawalle, has directed the state’s police and other security services to carry out President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to shoot anyone in possession of illicit weapons on sight.

The president issued the order in March, when criminal activity in the state was at an all-time high. Matawalle claimed only law enforcement personnel should be armed in a series of tweets on Wednesday. Anyone detected in unlawful possession of firearms, according to the governor, “should be shot on the spot.”

He stated that his government will provide assistance to the security agencies.

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.