The Zamfara State Government on Monday announced the reopening of weekly markets that were previously closed due to insecurity in the state.
The state’s commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Dosara, said in a statement on Monday that the Zamfara government, “considered and approved the reopening of the following weekly markets, beginning from Monday, Nov. 1, 2021.
“The markets include; Nasarawar Burkullu Market, Bukkuyum Local Government Area; Talata Mafara market, Talata Mafara Local Government Area and Gusau market, Gusau Local Government Area.
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“Others are, Shinkafi market, Shinkafi Local Government Area; Kasuwar Daji market, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area; Nasarawar Godel market, Birnin-Magaji Local Government Area and Danjibga market, Tsafe Local Government Area,” Dosara said.
The statement also noted that the livestock markets (kara) of any of the markets mentioned are to remain closed.
“People should not be seen carrying any weapons into the markets and no person should be seen attacking or threatening anybody in the name of whatever group or organisations,” Dosara said.
Despite the markets closure and other security measures, the state had recorded 120 abductions and 50 deaths in the last 66 days.
Data from the Nigeria Security Tracker and newspaper reports showed that bandits killed about 50 people during the period.
The state government had shut down telecoms networks and banned movement of livestock in the state. It also stopped filling stations from selling fuel except in Gusau and the 14 local government headquarters.
But within the same period, the NST data showed that 21 security men comprising 18 soldiers, one police and two civil defence officers, were killed.
Scores of bandits were also said to have been killed in counter insurgency operations in the state.