Movements restricted as riot breaks out in Zamfara over killings

Hundreds of people have been killed by bandits in the North-west state in 2018. Many others have been kidnapped for ransom. The protesters, mainly residents of Tsafe Local Government Area, on Monday morning barricaded the Gusau-Zaria highway linking the state to Kaduna, Kano, and Abuja. An eyewitness told our reporter that the protesters destroyed political billboards of President Muhammadu Buhari and the state governor, Abdulaziz Yari. The protests, which was populated by youth and women later degenerated into a full riot. “The protesters began by blocking the highway and burning tyres, but as we speak, the local government secretariat in Tsafe is on fire,” the eyewitness, who declined to be named for security reasons, said. The police deployed officers to bring the situation under control but the protesters refused to back down. Muhammad Shehu, police public relations officer in the state, later announced that movement had been restricted between 6pm and 7am. He said the restriction will be in force till the security situation improves. Suspected bandits have killed, kidnapped and unleashed hell on residents of the state despite efforts by government to check the high wave of violence. Hundreds of people have been killed by bandits in the North-west state in 2018. Many others have been kidnapped for ransom. More details later]]>