Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara state has announced a reward of N1 million on every illegal AK 47 rifle returned to the state government.
The announcement was made on Thursday by the governor at a news conference in Gusau. He labeled the gesture as a necessary move over the unabated increase in crime, especially abduction in the state.
He wondered why “in 2015, with just about 250 soldiers, the crime rate was low but with over 1,600 soldiers of different categories, we cannot contain crime in the state.”
He aslo spoke on the proposed engagement of 8,500 youths as civilian task force, making it clear that their engagement will be a boost in the fight against armed banditry, cattle rustling and kidnapping in the state.
“I am confident that since the locals know the people in their surroundings, they will be quick in detecting any new comer or suspicious movement.”
Their activities will be against armed bandits who have stormed various communities in the state, especially at the rural areas where they kill, maim, abduct people and burn houses, shops and other properties.