ZAMFARA STATE GOVERNMENT MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, GUSAU GOVERNMENT PRESS STATEMENT
Worried by the rampant cases of attacks on northern youths by the Amotekun Operatives in the south western states, where they are being exposed to unlawful tortures, Zamfara state governor, His Excellency Hon (Dr) Bello Mohammed Matawallen MON, Barden Hausa and Shatiman Sokoto has demanded his colleagues in the region to checkmate the excesses of the operatives for peace and unity of the country.
The unlawfully detention, molestation and torture of the young Nigerians who are mostly on business mission with their counterparts in the south west region, is uncalled for as it may result into crisis between the two regions.
He said Nigerians should avoid any ethno – religious conflicts to allow peace and tranquility to reign to foster economic and political development of this country.
“At this material time when almost all the geo- political regions are facing one crisis or another, people should learn to respect one another and think on who to develop Nigeria rather than unnecessary hatred.
Zamfara state governor, therefore urged his colleagues in the south western Nigeria to checkmate the excesses of the Amotekun Operatives and deal decisively with the operatives violating the code of conduct of the security network.
The Governor who was baffled by the actions of the operatives who intercepted Truck Conveying Northern Youths, Flogged Them Thoroughly In Ondo as reported by the SaharaReporters on Sep 16, 2022, expressed concern over possible backlash from the northern part of the country.
“Some operatives of the Ondo State Security Network (popularly known as Amotekun) on Friday afternoon allegedly beat up some Northern youths who were passing through the state.
“SaharaReporters gathered that the youths who were passing through the state were intercepted around Gbeleaje Estate, Ilesha/Owo expressway.
“They were however thoroughly searched by the operatives who found nothing incriminating on them.
“A witness told SaharaReporters that after the stop-and-search operation, the Amotekun officials descended on the youths and flogged them thoroughly.
“Their motorcycles were also seized by the operatives who later asked them to continue their journey.
“We initially thought they were bandits but they were not. The Amotekun people asked them to come down which they did, they searched all of them and found nothing on them.
“But to our surprise, they started beating them. They seized phones of those recording this act and deleted the pictures and videos. Someone asked why they were beating them when they didn’t see anything on them but they claimed the driver initially refused to stop, making them to waste their time.”
The Gov said this is the 4th time the excesses of these operatives were mated to the northern youths without any incriminating materials found on them and said “enough is enough.”
He said since the southern youths are coming to the north to carry out their business without harassment or intimidation from the region, there should be no reason to unleash such atrocities on the northern youths.
Amotekun operatives in Ondo have in recent time come under fire for indiscriminately checking of mobile phones and laptops of residents of the state.
Signed
Ibrahim Magaji Dosara
Hon Commissioner for Information
Zamfara state
18/09/2022
