Nigerians hail Matawalle on proactive action on security
By Olorunfemi Adejuyigbe
Nigerians from all walks of life have hailed the executive governor of Zamfara state, His Excellency, Governor Bello Matawalle, on his government’s proactive action on security in the State.
In an early morning phone in programme where security issues in the State was discussed, callers commended the latest action of the government on kidnappers.
It will be recalled that the State government has recently pronounced a death sentence on any kidnapper caught in the State. Most of the callers indicated that this pronouncement was long overdue in order to checkmate the current rising kidnapping cases not just in Zamfara state but generally in the country.
Governor Matawalle few days ago, threw his weight behind death penalty on those convicted for banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and cultism in the State, when he signed into law a bill passed by the Zamfara State House of Assembly prohibiting and punishing terrorists, cattle rustling, cultism, kidnapping and other incidental offences.
The new law provides that any person found guilty of banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, Cultism or being an informant to the bandits is liable to death penalty. Also under the law, anyone found guilty of aiding and or abetting the crimes mentioned is liable to life imprisonment, twenty years imprisonment or ten years imprisonment without option of fine.
Recently, Zamfara state has witnessed a new wave of rising kidnapping and banditry cases, a situation which ignited the call by the government for the citizens to pick up guns and arms to protect themselves.
However, while the state’s call for the citizens to take up arms, met with some form of reservations from different quarters, the current call for death penalty for kidnappers caught, has elicited great commendation for the government.
Matawalle was also commended on the radio phone in programme, for his foresight in providing good governance and infrastructure in the state and also for his usual swift responses to issues that affect the citizens of his state.
