The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has backed the shut down of telecommunication networks and other measures taken in tackling banditry in Katsina and Zamfara States.
Bibian Anekwe News reports that some of the measures include the closure of weekly community markets, blockade of internet access, ban on movement of cattle, ban on charging of phones publicly, and restriction of access to fuel.
In a statement on Tuesday by its spokesman, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, the CNG commended Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State and his Zamfara counterpart, Bello Matawalle, for taking these measures to tackle banditry.
The groups urged the affected communities to bear the pains and hardship that comes with the measures.
It added that the measures taken would lead to the final restoration of security and return of peace in the states and the North West region.
The groups also advised the state governments involved to design emergency measures that will ease the pains of the affected communities.
The CNG also asked all Northern governors to take immediate steps to check the movement of people across their borders.
The statement reads: “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 the banditry and kidnappings that have ravaged the region and for all 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 immediately neighboring the current operational areas to take immediate steps to check the movement of people across their borders.”
