As part of sustained efforts to put an end to armed banditry and criminality in Zamfara State, the Nigeria Police Force in collaboration with the Nigerian Military and other Security Services has commenced “Operation PUFF- ADDER” which is a full scale security offensive against the bandits.
According to a press release from the office of the Inspector General of Police, the operation is aimed at reclaiming every public space under the control of the bandits, arrest and bring to book all perpetrators of violence in the area and achieve a total destruction of all criminal camps and hideouts.
“In the face of intelligence report that has clearly established a strong and glaring nexus between the activities of armed bandits and illicit miners -with both mutually re-enforcing each other, the Federal Government of Nigeria has directed that mining activities in Zamfara and other affected States are hereby suspended with immediate effect.
“Consequently, any mining operator who engages in mining activities in the affected locations henceforth will have his licence revoked. All foreigners operating in the mining fields should close and leave within 48 hours
“We appeal for the cooperation of the local communities, especially the traditional and religious leaders within the community. Meanwhile, we note the use of social media to spread fake news, falsehood and deliberate misinformation. We therefore urge our citizens to exercise restraint in circulating unconfirmed information capable of doing more damage to us all. Let us not allow the social media to hijack our sense of judgment and capture our minds negatively’, he stated
