The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has thrown its weight behind the shut down of mobile telecommunications networks and markets in Katsina and Zamfara States.
Reports say the measure include the closure of weekly markets, blockade of internet access, ban on movement of cattle, ban on charging of phones publicly and restriction of access to fuel.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, commended Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State and his Zamfara State counterpart, Bellow Matawalle for taking the measures to tackle banditry.
The groups urged the affected communities to bear the pains and hardships that comes with the measures.
They hope that the measures would lead to the final resolution of the menace of insecurity plaguing the region, especially the 2 states.
The group also requested the Governors to apply measures that would lead to the emergency resolution of the hardships the communities would face.
This is in addition to checking the movement of people across the borders.
The statement:
“We particularly note that the combined effects of the initiatives for the blockade of internet access, closure of weekly community markets, ban on movement of cattle and restriction of access to fuel in some frontline states are already yielding results.
“These measures, however, expectedly comes with a cost which we urge affected communities to bear with patience and fortitude hoping they will be temporary hardships necessary for the final restoration of security, and return of peace and enduring public safety.
“We therefore, called on the state governments involved to design emergency measures for easing the pains that would naturally result from the new security steps on communities and called for more cooperation and prayer from the public.
“In this regard, we call for dedicated prayer sessions across all northern communities on Thursday 8th and Friday 9th to beseech God’s intervention for a definite end to banditry and kidnappings that have ravaged the region and for all the captives to regain freedom.
“State governments and the wealthy in all northern states should as well work together to ease the temporary hardships on the affected populations resulting from the new measures taken by authorities.
“While commending the efforts of our gallant troops on the frontline, we particularly call on all northern governors especially those of states immediacy neighbouring current operational areas to take immediate steps to check the movement of people across their borders.”
Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG)
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