Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara has said that the state government is no longer interested in dialoguing with bandits as they rejected the olive branch stretched at them earlier.
He said in Gusau that instead, security forces would flush them out of the state.
“My administration will no longer grant amnesty to bandits as they have failed to embrace the peace initiative earlier extended to them,’’ the governor said, while addressing a congregation.
He urged residents to be patient and to support new security measures put in place to flush out bandits and their collaborators to restore peace in the state.
The governor said the barrage of attacks on bandits by security forces had made them to make a fresh overture to government seeking dialogue.
He said the bandits’ emissaries informed him that they had repented and would want to dialogue with the government.
He noted that some of the bandits were running out of Zamfara to other states as a result of the new security measures introduced by the state government.
Matawalle warned politicians against giving any form of support to bandits, stressing that: “politicians should fear God and stop buying motorcycles to distribute to people who, in turn, sell to bandits to perpetrate their evil acts.’’
The governor said also that the Zamfara government would prosecute any politician caught in the act.
Recall that Zamfara had cut off food, petroleum products supply and other essential commodities from the reach of the bandits in their various camps.
The government had also incepted several vehicles conveying food, drinks and petroleum products to various bandits’ camps in the state.
The government said earlier that it had also arrested more than 100 violators of Gov. Matawalle’s Executive Order to restore law and order in the state.
Matawalle had established the Special Taskforce to enforce measures to address the lingering security challenges of mass kidnapping for ransom and cattle rustling in the state.
On Aug. 26, the governor signed an Executive Order suspending all weekly markets in Zamfara, banned bicycles and motorcycles from carrying more than one passenger and not more than three passengers in the case of tricycles.
The order read in part: “No bicycle, motorcycle or tricycle shall ply any road or run within Zamfara State between 6.30 p.m. and 6 a.m., while in Gusau metropolis, the ban shall be between 8 p.m. and 6a.m.
“No firewood or charcoal shall be transported from the bush to any part of Zamfara State by bicycle, motorcycle, tricycle, car, articulated vehicle, lorry, truck or any vehicle by whatever name called.
“No sheep or cow shall be transported into or outside Zamfara State.
“The sale of petroleum products by fuel stations within the control of a village head is banned.
“Fuel stations shall not sell petroleum products in jerry can or any other container to any customer.
“No fuel station shall sell more than five litres to motorcyclists, tricyclists and not more than 40 litres to any vehicle.
“All shops, kiosks, containers, tents and stands located at Garejin Mailaina, Gusau, are hereby closed.’’
The state government had also established a Special Taskforce to ensure full compliance with the order while mobile courts were set up to prosecute violators.
Meanwhile, commercial activities in the state have been halted following the two weeks suspension of telecommunication networks in the state by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC).
All banking services, mobile telephone services, internet and other related services have also been suspended.
In a related development, Commissioner of Police in Zamfara, Mr Ayuba Elkanah, announced the suspension of movement of all motorcycles with clutches in 13 local government areas of the state.
In a chat with newsmen, Elkanah urged members of the public to continue to support security agencies by giving them vital information that would assist in fighting crimes and criminally in the state.
“In a bid to achieve this aim, additional measures have been put in place.
“Riding of motorcycles that have clutches have been banned in the 13 local government areas of the state in addition to the earlier enforcement of restrictions on motorcycles and tricycles in Gusau Local Government Area.
“In Gusau area, Damba and Mada are equally affected in the ban on riding motorcycles with clutches,’’ Elkanah said.
The police commissioner said they had authoritative information that some unscrupulous elements use the vehicles, especially Golf III cars and Canter trucks, to supply petroleum products and food items to bandits camps,
Elkanah enjoined residents in Zamfara to bear with the security agencies because the measures put in place are temporarily and are in the best interest of the state.
“We urge residents to remain law-abiding and to collaborate with security agencies in ensuring that peace and security is restored in the state,’’ the police commissioner said.
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has extended a heartfelt felicitation to Muslim faithfuls across Nigeria and beyond on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
The Lagos Speaker seized the occasion to urge Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora to continue supporting and praying for the country and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
While congratulating the Muslim ummah on the joyous occasion of Eid al-Fitr, Dr. Obasa, in a statement by his media office, emphasised the need to uphold the festival’s inherent values of forgiveness, compassion, charity, and patience beyond this season.
“As we celebrate with excitement and enthusiasm, let us remember that Eid al-Fitr is a moment of thanksgiving, joy, and spiritual renewal. Importantly, let us hold on to the spirits of love, tolerance, kindness, and compassion that we learnt in the holy month,” Obasa stated.
The Speaker urged Nigerians to pray for the country and the President for his transformative efforts and relentless sacrifices to enthrone and entrench a better nation.
“In President Tinubu, we have a leader who is committed to the progress, prosperity, and peaceful co-existence of all. All we need to do as a people is support and pray for him. I do not doubt that his visionary leadership and Renewed Hope blueprint will guide Nigeria back to the right path,” Dr Obasa stated.
Though on recess, the Speaker reiterated the commitment of the Lagos State House of Assembly to promoting religious harmony and policies that will engender and ensure the development and overall well-being of Lagosians nay Nigerians.
He assured that under his leadership, the state legislature will continue to work together in peace and harmony with the primary objective of ensuring economic prosperity while supporting initiatives that enhance the socio-economic growth of the state and Nigeria at large.
Concluding, Dr. Obasa said, “On behalf of my family, colleagues, and the management and staff of the Assembly, I wish our Muslim brothers and sisters a beautiful, bounteous, and blessed celebration.”
As Muslims across the world celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, the Baba Adeen of Alimosho Federal Constituency, Hon. Bisi Yusuf, has extended his warm greetings to the Muslim faithful.
In his Eid message titled “Eid Mubarak!”, Hon. Yusuf emphasized the enduring blessings of Ramadan and expressed optimism that the prayers offered during the sacred period would bring divine favor to individuals, families, and the nation.
“The prayers we made—for ourselves, our families, and our great nation—will not go unanswered, In Sha Allah,” the Alimosho All Progressives Congress apex leader assured.
He urged Muslims to continue upholding the core values of Ramadan, including peace, love, patience, and charity, stressing that these principles are essential in fostering unity and driving national progress.
“By lifting one another, strengthening our communities, and working for national progress, we bring positive change to our land,” the two-term former chairman of Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area stated.
Hon. Yusuf also prayed for the prosperity of Nigeria and divine guidance for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he steers the country toward a brighter future.
“May Allah bless our dear nation and guide President Tinubu as he leads us toward a brighter and greater Nigeria,” he added.
The three-term member of the Lagos State House of Assembly concluded his message with a heartfelt Eid greeting to all Muslims: Barka Da Sallah!
President Bola Tinubu on Friday signed the N54.99 trillion 2025 Budget of Restoration into law, emphasizing that discipline and diligence would guide its implementation. The signing ceremony, held in Abuja, was attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbass, and Senate Committee Chairman on Appropriation Sen. Solomon Adeola.
In his address, President Tinubu expressed optimism about Nigeria’s economic future, stating, “Today, we take another bold step in our nation’s journey of economic recovery, stability, and growth with the signing of the 2025 Budget of Restoration. We reaffirm our commitment to securing our future, rebuilding prosperity, and ensuring that every Nigerian shares in the dividends of governance.”
Reflecting on the challenges faced in the past year, the President highlighted the government’s economic discipline and reforms that have yielded positive results. He pointed to a national GDP growth of 3.86% in the final quarter of 2024, marking the fastest growth in three years. Revenues also surged to N21.6 trillion from N12.37 trillion, while the fiscal deficit was reduced from 6.2% in 2023 to 4.17% in 2025.
“These achievements were made possible through economic discipline and strategic reforms,” Tinubu noted. “Forex reforms have restored investor confidence, and we are witnessing the stabilization of our markets. The minimum wage increase to ₦70,000 has also boosted the purchasing power of workers. Infrastructure development is progressing rapidly, with key projects such as the 750km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the 1,068km Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway,” he added.
The President expressed gratitude to the National Assembly for their swift passage of the budget and called for continued collaboration in its implementation. “We have no dust on our faces or tears in our eyes. We walked together as brothers and sisters. Though the initial outlook was turbulent, we can now see signs of progress,” he said.
He also outlined priority areas in the budget, such as national security, infrastructure, energy, healthcare, education, and human capital development. An increased allocation for agriculture and food security was highlighted as crucial for boosting local food production and preventing hunger across the nation. Additionally, more funds for social welfare programs are set to support vulnerable groups, including youth and women.
However, the President made it clear that the budget’s success hinges on fiscal responsibility. “We cannot spend what we do not have,” he said. He emphasized the need to ensure that every naira spent is backed by actual revenue, with a focus on expanding government earnings and fostering public-private partnerships.
Tinubu also pledged accountability from all government agencies, promising that each department would be held responsible for ensuring prudent spending and delivering value for money. He further explained that efforts would be made to redefine amendments within the Appropriations Act to ensure smooth budget implementation.
Senate President Akpabio assured Tinubu of the National Assembly’s full support, acknowledging that the President inherited a struggling economy and has successfully navigated its recovery through his leadership and expertise.
Finance Minister Wale Edun added that the successful passage of the budget was the result of continuous collaboration and analysis between the executive and legislative arms of government.
As Nigeria embarks on the implementation of the ambitious budget, all eyes will be on the government to fulfill its promise of economic restoration and growth.
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