Zamfara state Anti Thuggery Committee has arrested thirty two Persons with dangerous weapons during a welcome home rally during a Political gathering in Gusau, the state capital.
They were arrested Monday night at a rally Organised by the People’s Democratic party (PDP) to welcome it’s Governorship Candidate
The Zamfara Anti-Thuggery operatives had last month arrested some Persons with weapons during an APC Campaign rally and we’re paraded
The Committee was set up by the Zamfara state Government to checkmate activities of Political Thuggery which hitherto has become common in the state
Since the assumption of Bello Bakyaswa as the head of the Committee, Political Campaigns and activities in Zamfara has been peaceful as no record of clashes with rival Political groups
Parading the suspects, Chairman of the Committee Bello Bakyasuwa says, the suspects clashed with operatives of Anti-Thuggery Committee.
“They attacked our men in a bid to escape the arrest but were overpowered by our security personnel and in the event we arrested 32 of them”. Bakyaswa said.
He expressed displeasure over the nonchalant attitude of leaders of Political party to caution their supporters against carrying weapons during rally despite several warnings by the committee.
“I have on several occasions told party leaders to enlighten their supporters on the dangers of carrying weapons during campaign rallies but some of them are yet to comply with the directive”.
“Politics is not a do or die affairs, we don’t have to carry weapons during rallies. We want to change the ways politics is done in Zamfara” he added.
He stressed that the committee is none political and don’t have plans to witch hunt any Political party
Bakyaswa however insist that any party supporter caught with arms during or after a political rally will be delt with according to the laws of the state.
Bakyasuwa also announced the ban on using vigilante or Yantauri during political activities, calling on all Political parties to comply with the directive in the interest of peace and Development of the state.
” Henceforth, no Political party is allowed to hire local vigilante group or hunters known as “Yantauri” during Political activities”
“It is a directive and all Political parties are expected to comply according, as our men will not allow anyone to carry weapons during Electioneering Campaigns.
Some of the Suspects however regretted their actions, seek for forgiveness and promise not to participate in Political Thuggery.