Adedokun Waliyu 
Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle approved the death penalty for those convicted for banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and cultism in the state.
He further signed into law, a Bill prohibiting and punishing terrorists, cattle rustling, cultism, kidnapping and other incidental offences.
“The new law provides that any person found guilty of banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, cultism or being an informant to the bandits is liable to the death penalty.
“Under the law, anyone found guilty of aiding and or abetting the crimes mentioned is liable to life imprisonment, 20 years imprisonment or 10 years imprisonment without option of fine.
“The most fundamental focus of governance anywhere in the world is security,” he stated.
He added that the establishment of community protection guards in the state was not different from the Civilian Joint Task Force, JTF, in Borno State and Amotekun in the South-West region.
The state governor earlier advised residents of the state to acquire guns to defend themselves against terrorist and bandit attacks.
The directive was contained in a special government announcement signed by the State Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Magaji Dosara.
In the special announcement SaharaReporters obtained on Sunday, the government said it had directed the State Commissioner of Police to issue licences to people qualified and interested in obtaining such guns to defend themselves.
