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Zamfara State passes Anti-thuggery bill

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By Okunloye Abiodun

Anti-thuggery Agency to curb thuggery and related violent acts in the state.

In an effort to combat thuggery, Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle signed a bill incorporating the state Anti-thuggery Agency into law. This was revealed in a statement issued in Gusau by Jamilu Iliyasu, who serves as the Press Secretary to the governor. In February 2022, it was disclosed that the governor had signed an Executive Order establishing a committee to counter thuggery, drug abuse, and similar offences throughout the state. Afterwards, it was sent to the state assembly that would legalize the state anti-thug agency, and it was approved.

The governor commended the Assembly for enacting the two bills and helping the government to improve the state, stressing that his administration created the agency to assist security services in decreasing thuggery. He added that the organization would also aid in educating young people with moral values, leading to a better community as a whole. Also included in the report is the governor’s consent to an amendment to legislation creating state Area Development Councils. According to him, the area development councils were established to improve local development and meet the objectives of the electorate by bringing people nearer to the government.

Matawalle’s action is evident in the state’s peaceful election.

Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Imo Police Command have both expressed their satisfaction with the peaceful election that took place in the state on Saturday. They made the statement during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), providing their evaluation of the election in the state. Anyanwu commended the police and other security officials for their professionalism, noting that his community had not had any incidents of violence.

More so, Sen. Anyanwu added that the election was peaceful throughout and that he cast his vote at the Ikeduru Local Government Area, Polling Unit 012, Central School, Amaimo. The procedure was carried out without incident, with the only reservation of the fact that the officials from INEC needed more knowledge of the BVAS. He remarked that while they were able to manage the situation, they were delayed in handling the BVAS machine. However, he expressed optimism that the procedure will be better in upcoming elections.

The security agency demonstrated professionalism in the election conducted.

ASP Henry Okoye, the state’s police public relations officer (PPRO), stated that the command had not received any reports of violence or arrests in any polling place. Okoye also observed that the security officers who were sent out to keep the election safe did a good job. He believes that the people of Imo can testify to the truth that their men acted professionally and democratically and human rights compliantly. Many people, he claims, were under the impression that the state of Imo would be extremely dangerous and that polls would be called off because of this.

Okoye credited Mr. Muhammed Barde, the state’s commissioner of police, his managerial team, and the collaboration between different security agencies for the state’s safety achievement. He also noted that the effectiveness of the seminars they have been holding had helped the success of the strategic positioning of security personnel. He also applauded the young people of Imo state for their peaceful voting and said it was a good sign that so many of them showed up to the polls.

All situations were brought under control despite challenges.

On the other hand, ASP Okoye remained silent when asked about the threats made by unknown thugs to disrupt the electoral process on Saturday in Orsu. According to NAN’s sources, security agents in Orsu were able to recover stolen election materials from the criminals. Witnesses reported that security personnel had successfully dealt with the criminals and handed back the stolen items to the INEC representatives. The source says that voting was held without further incident in the area.


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