President Muhammadu Buhari
The Federal Government has declared a “no-fly zone” in Zamfara following reports of incessant killings by bandits, and their supply of firearms through their conspirators who deliver arms through helicopters.
This decision was announced on Tuesday, March, 2 and on Twitter as well.
SECURITY: President @MBuhari has approved the imposition and enforcement of a BAN on ALL mining activities in Zamfara State, with immediate effect, until further notice.
The President has also approved that Zamfara State be declared a No-Fly-Zone with immediate effect.
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) March 2, 2021
The government took the decision following the abduction of over 300 students from a college in the state.
Presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu said that the Federal government declared Zamfara a no-fly zone following intelligence that arms are being transported to the bandits with private jets.
He said the jets are also used to cart away gold from the state to Dubai, which, according to him, prompted the ban on mining activities also announced on Tuesday.
“These jets are being used to pick up gold that is being mined in some parts of Zamfara and exported. This is strong because at the moment,” he said.
“There is a Nigerian gold market in Dubai. The government is losing, the people of this country are losing, that’s why it is said that gold mining is banned for those who are not made by the government.”
Meanwhile, the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has appealed to the Federal Government to extend its “no-fly zone” order on other states with security challenges as Zamfara.
ACF chairman and former Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, who made the appeal in a statement yesterday, also congratulated the people and government of Zamfara State on the release of the 279 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, who were abducted in their hostels last Friday.
Though he expressed happiness over the “no fly zone,” the ACF leader pleaded with the government to extend same to states, such as Benue, Taraba and Borno,saying there are rumours that helicopters frequently drop arms for bandits and insurgents operating in these states.
“We believe that such an extended ban will curtail the operations of the criminals in these areas,” ACF stated.
