ZAMFARA STATE GOVERNMENT SIGNS AN MOU WITH AFRICAN EXPORT-IMPORT BANK (AFREXIMBANK), SECURES 1 BILLION USD INVESTMENT INPUT

The Zamfara State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Afreximbank on an agreement for 1 Billion US dollar investment input in mining, agriculture and industrial development. The event which took place yesterday at Transcorp Hilton Hotel witnessed the attendance of the President of Afreximbank Professor Benedict Oramoh. 

Mr. Benedict Oramoh expressed appreciation over the dedication of the new government and its "clear vision" in developing Zamfara State. He applauded Governor Bello Matawalle for recording successes in the fight against banditry in the State. He further disclosed that an MoU has been ratified to foster economic development using the state's potentials and basic industrial resources for a robust economic growth and development in agriculture and mining. 

Following the partnership agreement, Afreximbank has offered Zamfara the sum of One Billion US dollar as investment input to facilitate trade and industry through revival of cotton production, animal husbandry, beef processing company and exploring opportunities in minerals and water resources. 

Responding, Governor Matawalle thanked Mr. Benedict for the support adding that the Zamfara is now safe and welcomes investors to partner with the government in restoring the state's lost economic activities. He assured Mr. Benedict and all investors of their safety in Zamfara State. 

Ibrahim Bello Zauma 

SSA NEW MEDIA 

28/07/2019

GOVERNOR MATAWALLE PAID A VISIT TO THE NIGERIAN AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS

The Executive Governor of Zamfara State (Dr.) Bello Mohammed Matawalle MON has visited the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, Abuja yesterday in his continuous effort to involve all security stakeholders to ensure the return of peace in Zamfara and the neighboring states. 

He arrived the Headquarters in the company of the former Finance Minister and the current Honorary Advisor Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, Permanent Secretary office of the Executive Governor Alh. Kabiru Balarabe and Alh. Abu Hali among others. The Governor was received by the Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Saddique Baba Abubakar at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force, Abuja. 

Addressing the session, the Governor praised the Nigerian Air Force for mounting operational pressure in Zamfara and the neighborhood which made the bandits to embrace peace initiatives adding that he came to the Air Force Headquarters to enhance relationship and commend the efforts being put by the Air Force in Zamfara State to compliment government's effort to nip insecurity in the bud. Governor Matawalle emphasized the need for more synergy between Zamfara State Government and the Nigerian Air Force for the sustenance of the peace treaty as a civil means of putting an end to the menace. 

Governor Matawalle recounted the giant successes attained through the government initiated truce which brought the local vigilante groups and the bandits to a negotiation table, the efforts that led to the unconditional release of 147 abductees who were in captivity for several months, the resumption of business activities in markets that were closed as a result of the bandits' attacks, and reopening of roads that could not be plied due to the intensity of the menace. 

In response, the Chief of Air Staff Air Marshall Saddique Baba Abubakar congratulated Governor Matawalle on his success at the polls and expressed appreciation on the governor's commitment to peace and security in the state and vowed to continue to complement its efforts for the safety of lives and property adding that more deployment of Air Force personnel will be made to ensure sustenance of peace. 

Ibrahim Bello Zauma 

SSA NEW MEDIA 

18/07/2019

SECURITY: GOVERNOR MATAWALLE VISITS IGP AGAIN, SEEKS MORE COLLABORATIVE EFFORT TO END INSECURITY

For the second time within two months, Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle visited the Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja. Governor Matawalle was accompanied by the former Minister of Finance and current Honoray Advisor to the Executive Governor Ambassador Bashir Yuguda and other government officials.

Governor Matawalle sought more collaborative effort to wipe banditry off the face of Zamfara and all the neighbouring states. Reviewing the successes of the current peace deal, Governor Matawalle disclosed that 140 victims have so far regained their freedom from their abductors and they are being taken care of by the government. He added that Zamfara State has now started breathing the air of peace and tranquility with both camps of the bandits and local vigilante groups willing to give up all forms of violence. 

Governor Matawalle further applauded the coordinative role of the Police in the peace treaty and appealed for continuous collective resolve to make banditry and other crimes a history not only in Zamfara but in Nigeria as a whole. He finally assured the IGP that whatever necessary logistics needed will be provided for the smooth running of the operations. 

In his response, the IGP Mohammed Adamu thanked Governor Matawalle for being instrumental in recording the successes in tackling what seemed to be a difficult and intractable problem by initiating the truce and involving relevant security agencies in the bid to institute peace in the state. He called on the Governor to maintain the tempo for the sustenance of peace. 

Ibrahim Bello Zauma 

SSA NEW MEDIA 

18/07/2019

SECURITY: GOVERNOR MATAWALLE VISITS NIGERIAN ARMY HEADQUARTERS

In his continuous effort to find lasting solutions to the security challenges in Zamfara, His Excellency the Executive Governor of Zamfara State (Dr.) Bello Mohammed Matawalle  MON visited the Chief of Army Staff Nigerian Army Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai at the Army Headquarters, Abuja yesterday. 

Addressing the session presided by the Chief of Army Staff, Governor Matawalle said he was at the military headquarters to show appreciation for the military operations and the support by the army in the struggle to bring lasting solutions to the challenges of insecurity in Zamfara State. He added that as a collective responsibility, the state government alone could not take the whole charge having met the state faced by numerous problems. This, he said, was what necessitated his consultations with the security operatives and the leadership of the neighboring states which shared common security challenges with Zamfara. 

Governor Matawalle hailed the Nigerian Army for its role and contributions in the fight against banditry and other criminal activities in the state and assured them of his continuous support both in logistics and Intelligence. He appealed to the Army to soften its operations in order to give chance to the peace deal initiated as striding successes have so far been recorded with many abductees released, and the bandits' criminal activities slumping by 90%, adding that in three weeks, no major incident has been reported. 

In his response, the COAS Lt Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai congratulated the Governor on his successful ascendency to the position. He pointed out that though the military remains as apolitical as it should be, he has been keenly following the democratic process that led to the Matawalle's emergence as the governor of Zamfara State. 

He applauded the Governor for his commitment to security. In his words, "we are glad that you have started very well... in the first few days of your assumption to duty, we have seen the giant stride you have taken in ameliorating the security challenges that have been bedeviling the state." He assured the governor that the military as instrument of state wholeheartedly welcomed the idea of civil approach to the menace of banditry as the use of force by the military has always been the last resort in tackling security issues. He attributed the fall in the rate of bandit criminal activities to the collective effort of the military and the commendable leadership of the State. 

He finally appealed to the governor to devise a deradicalization programme for the bandits who have embraced peace and also empower them with self-sustaining means of livelihood to prevent them from going back to the criminal activities. 

Ibrahim Bello Zauma 

SSA NEW MEDIA 

18/07/2019

MATAWALLE'S MIDA'S TORCH

By Zailani Bappa. 

When Governor Bello Muhammad, (Matawallen Maradun) took the mantle of Leadership in Zamfara State, he met on ground a daunting task of piecing together a fragmented society bedeviled with unprecedented security situation as it was.

The combined forces of the Military, the Police and plain clothes Security was mounting on its oars to end the social problem, but as they kept succeeding, so the menace took its new turns. The solution, certainly, lies not in fire power alone. There was the need to look outside the box. 

Hence,  Governor Matawalle came as a blessing to the people of Zamfara as he brought his quality experience and knowledge as the Chairman of House committee on Security and his vast outwards experience, to chart a new course of action. He immediately instituted a truce between the bandits and "Yan sa kai" just as the security holds its fire.

Today, no single person was abducted in the last three weeks. Within the same period, both bandits and "Yan sa kai" have released a total of 112 of their victims and are ready to release the rest in the coming week. After that, the process of disarmament will begin. This ingenuity was applauded by prominent Nigerians, the late being the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila. 

But then, after disarmament, what next? What is needed to be done to prevent the future occurrence of the menace? Governor Matawalle has put in machinery a resettlement mechanism in form of three Ruga settlements, one in each Senatorial District. These settlements will be housed on 100 hecters of land each and will have all the social amenities including schools, clinics and grazing lands. Ultimately, this may finally signal the end of banditry in Zamfara State. And this will be Matawalle's Midas torch in terms of Security needs of the State.

SPEAKER HON. FEMI GBAJABIAMILA VISITS ZAMFARA STATE ON PEACE MISSION

By Ibrahim Bello Zauma 

   SSA NEW MEDIA 

The Zamfara State Governor today receives the Speaker House of Representatives Rt Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila at the Zamfara State Government House in Gusau. Governor Matawalle expressed happiness over the visit, stating that as first official visit to the State, it reflects a mark of Honorable Speaker's concern on the plight of the people of Zamfara. 

The Speaker's visit, he said, was appreciated, especially at a time when the state government is recording significant successes in its bid to institute peace and reclaim its lost glories, although the state experienced its worst security situation at the time of power transition. 

He assured the Speaker of his administration's commitment to security adding that security has been the prime concern of the government. Hinting the Speaker on the progress so far made, Governor Matawalle revealed that 109 abductees have been released unconditionally by bandits following the peace deal initiated by the state government. Two of the freed victims are from Niger Republic, One from Katsina and Eleven from Sokoto while the rest are from Zamfara. 

Governor Matawalle thanked the Speaker House of Representatives for the visit and the donation of two truck-full of rice for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). 

In his address, the Speaker Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila described the purpose of the visit as a peace-keeping mission and effort to foster unity as the message of the National Pledge projects. He recounted how debates and resolutions at the House of Representatives on security ended there because they were mostly based only on media reports not the actual assessment or interaction with the real stakeholders.

In his words, "I came as a presiding officer with my members to see and get on ground assessment in order to get government intervention". Gbajabiamila applauded Governor Matawalle for being able to record successes in tackling what seemed to be a difficult and intractable problem of insecurity in so short a time. 

Femi Gbajabiamila formally handed over Six released victims to the Chairman Zamfara State Council of Chiefs and Emir of Anka Alhaji Attahiru Ahmad. 

SSA NEW MEDIA 

14/07/2019

GOVERNOR MATAWALLE SECURES MORE THAN 100 ABDUCTEES, INCLUDING FOREIGN NATIONALS

The  peace initiative which include  Yansakai militia groups mostly Hausas and armed bandits has yielded positive results with the rescue of more than 100 abductees including foreign nationals from Niger Republic. 

Apart from the Fifty Nine (59) Captives rescued in less than 6 days in Maru, Shinkafi and Kaura Namoda local government Areas, On 9th July, 2019, the Governor also facilitated the release of 14 Persons kidnapped for over 7 months and have been  in  captivity at Rukudawa village in Zurmi Local government.  The release of these people has added more confidence and trust of the good people of Zamfara state. 

In the same vein, On 10/7/2019, another breakthrough has been made where 12 kidnapped victims who are indigenes of sokoto state were successfully rescued from their captors in shinkafi local government. The rescued persons were handed over to the sokoto state Deputy Governor at the Zamfara State government House, Gusau.

 Similarly, eight more persons who comprise men, women and children were handed over to the police by their captors. The victims are indigenes of Fankiyo, Tasa and kachi kaidai in Maru local government. Also on the date, another Four persons were rescued in Shinkafi LGA respectively.

With this development, more than 100 persons have been successfully  rescued through the ongoing peace and reconciliation process in the state. 

All the rescued persons were handed over by CP Usman Nagogo to His Excellency Dr. Muhammad Bello Matawallen Maradun after which they will be reunited with their families .

This concerted effort will be sustained to ensure all persons under the captivity of  armed bandits and other militia groups are secured released. However, the next stage of this peace process will be the disarming of the bandits or any other person being in possession of arms or any offensive weapon. To this end, about two AK 47 riffles have been returned voluntarily by one of the bandit.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Nagoggo thanks the good people of Zamfara state for their support and cooperation to the police and other security agencies, and urged them not to relent in this effort until the state is rid of all criminal activities.

BANDITS IN ZAMFARA TO DISARM THIS WEEK - POLICE

"Armed bandits operating in Zamfara State will, from this week, start laying down their weapons as a state government-backed peace deal gained more acceptance, Zamfara State police commissioner, Usman Nagogo, told Daily Trust on Sunday. The police boss, who coordinates the peace process that has so far led to the release of captives by the bandits and local vigilante groups, said the disarmament was part of the next phase in the peace process. He said the bandits would disarm after release of captives".

Read more on Dailytrust: Click 

Ibrahim Bello Zauma 
SSA NEW MEDIA 

KO MENENE DALILIN SULHU AKAN MATSALAR TSARO A ZAMFARA?

Hakikanin gaskiya mutane da dama sun yi wa yunkurin sulhu da masu garkuwa da mutane gurguwar fahimta. 

Wannan kuwa ya faru ne saboda fahimtar da ta yawaita ga mutane cewa ba a yin sulhu da dan ta'adda saboda ba tawaye ba ne akan wata cutarwa da aka yi wa wani bangare na mutane. 

Wannan fahimta daidai ce, to sai dai ba ta yi daidai da halin matsalar tsaron Zamfara ba musamman saboda wani salo da matsalar tsaron Zamfara ta dauka. 

A halin yanzu matsalar tsaron ta dauki salon rikicin kabilanci saboda assasa kungiyar sa-kai ta zalla Hausawa da gwamnatin da ta shude ta yi inda a cikin su aka samu bara-gurbi da su ke kama da kuma yanka Fulani har a cikin kasuwa ba tare da bincike ba. Hasali ma an samu wadanda ke kama Fulani maza da mata wadanda ko dai suna zargin su ko kuwa 'yan uwa ko matan masu garkuwa da mutane ne, sai su su tsare su kamar yadda su ma masu garkuwa da mutane ke kama Hausawa. 

Dalilin haka aka samu wani yanayi musamman a yankin Dansadau, Fulani su kama Hausawa, su kuwa 'yan Sa-kai su kama matan su ko 'ya'yan su ko duk wani Fulani da suka rutsa da shi. Wannan yanayi shi ya wajabtar da yin sulhu kamar yadda Mai girma Gwamna (Dr) Bello Matawalle ya jagoranta saboda fahimtar cewa ba a yakin zalunci da zalunci. 

Nasarar da ake samu yanzu ta fara ne tun ranar da aka rarrashi 'yan Sa-kai a yankin Dansadau suka saki wasu Fulani 25 da su ke tsare da su wadanda su ka hada da mata da kananan yara. 

Akasari an gano da yawa daga cikin masu kisa da garkuwa da mutane sun hadu da wani rashin adalci da cutarwa. Misali, akwai labari mai tushe na wani mutum da an tabbatar da kyawun halin sa wanda ya hau babur ya tafi wani kauye wajen abokanan sa. Yana kan dawowa garin su mashin din sa ya lalace kan hanya. A daidai wannan lokacin ashe barayi sun yi dirar mikiya kauyen su, sun kashe mutane, sun sace dukiya mai tarin yawa. Sai 'yan-Sa-kai na yankin su suka zargi da wannan mutumin aka kitsa harin saboda ba ya gari a lokacin saboda haka suka dira gidan su, su kashe mahaifiyar sa, 'ya'yan sa da matar sa. Daga ranar zuciyar mutumin ta kekashe ya shiga dabar barayi da zummar sai ya rama kisan iyalin sa akan 'yan-sa-kai. 

Wannan yana nuna cewa duk da aikin 'yan-sa-kai yana da matukar mahimmanci amma kuma wuce gona da iri da wasun su ke yi na haddasa samun sabon zubi na 'yan ta'adda. 

Allah Ya kawo mana zaman lafiya a Zamfara da Najeriya baki daya.

Ibrahim Bello Zauma 

  SSA NEW MEDIA 

   11/7/2019

ZMSG INAUGURATES A HIGH POWERED COMMITTEE ON SECURITY

The Zamfara State Government has today inaugurated a high powered Committee charged with the responsibility of finding lasting solutions to the menace of insecurity in the state. 

While inaugurating the Committee at the Government House today, His Excellency Governor Bello Matawalle asserted that part of the committee's terms of reference would be to investigate the cause of violent uprising against the Emir of Maru Alhaji Abubakar Chika Ibrahim and the District Head of Kanoma Alhaji Ahmad Lawal adding that its mandate also includes a through examination of the remote and immediate cause of banditry and other crimes across the state. He further expressed optimism that the Committee to be headed by the former IGP MD Abubakar will do the task assigned to it as required. He finally prayed for Allah's guidance and success of the Committee. 

Responding on the assignment given to him, the Chairman of the Committee, MD Abubakar expressed gratitude for getting involved in the effort to salvage the state from the menace of insecurity. He assured the good people of Zamfara that there will be no sacred cow in the investigation and nobody within or outside the government found culpable will be spared. 

- Ibrahim Bello Zauma

     SSA NEW MEDIA

       

 8/7/2019