Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle of Zamfara State has lamented that the Federal Government was not helping issues as far as security matters are concerned.
The Governor disclosed this when he received a coalition of civil society organisations at his Maradun country home.
Governor Matawalle stated that the Federal Government has failed in its constitutional responsibility to protect the lives and properties of the entire citizenry.
The Governor expressed disgust over several lives that have been lost in the state and the kidnapped victims.
Matawalle maintained that as a Governor who has no control over the military, police, and other security agencies, “I decided to implement arms for self defense.”
He lamented that most of the military and security operatives who were supposed to be helpful to society with their wealth of knowledge were retired prematurely.
The Governor stated that if the Federal Government could extend the retirement age of medical doctors, university lecturers, and judges, it should consider doing the same for security personnel.
“That is why as a Governor who has no absolute control over the Army, Air force, police, and other security agencies, I asked the residents of the State to carry arms for self-defense.
“We had dialogue with the bandits but it did not work, that was why we decided to close markets, shutdown telecommunication networks and sales of petrol, yet all these did not work,” he lamented.
He advocated that the Federal Government should extend the retirement age of the army, police, air force, and other security agencies to 70 years like those in the medical, academic, etc.
The group, through its leader, Mr. Adamu Kwartarkwashi, said that they would continue to support the Governor’s policies toward restoring peace in the state.