The Zamfara Government has announced a restriction of time for the movement of motorcycles throughout the state following gun attacks on the citizens by persons riding on motorcycles.

The Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Umar Jibo, who announced the restriction to newsmen in Gusau on Saturday, said the order would take effect immediately.

He said motorcyclists could only operate from 6a.m. and 8p.m. and explained that the decision was taken at a stakeholders’ meeting, which included traditional rulers, religious leaders and security agencies.

The meeting was held at the instance of Gov. Abdulaziz Yari, on Thursday.

The commissioner said the stakeholders expressed concern over the indiscriminate killing of innocent people, especially rural dwellers, by gunmen on motorcycles.

He said while the state government with security agencies is working out more proactive measures to stop such activities, the restriction is expected to reduce the crime.

Jibo also said that “no motorcycle will henceforth be allowed to carry more than one person apart from the rider.”

He said the decision was based on the fact that many of the gunmen carried two or three other persons, who shot at people whenever they attacked communities.

The commissioner said the government had banned all volunteer security bodies, known as ‘yan sa kai,’ as some of them had turned into criminal gangs who killed, maimed and stole from people.

He warned that anyone caught violating the orders would have themselves to blame.

Meanwhile, over 400 internally displaced Fulani herdsmen from Kelele, Falale and aMutunji villages of Maru Local Government Area of the state have been camped with their flock in Gusau.

The Executive Secretary of Zamfara Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Sanusi Kwatarkwashi, said that some 40 members of the communities had been killed.

He said the people in camp were being catered to by the state government and National Emergency Management Agency. (NAN)

•Photo shows Governor Yari.