Zamfara government has backed down on its order shutting down five media organizations operating in the state and apologized for the action which, though, it insisted, was right.
The media that were shut down are the NTA, FRCN’s Pride FM Gusau, Gamji TV, Gamji FM and Al-umma TV.
A statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Ibrahim Dosara, had alleged that the affected media violated it’s Executive Order No.10 and abused journalism practice.
However, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Chairman of Zamfara State Committee on Prosecution of Banditry and Related Offences, Dr. Abdullahi Shinkafi, at a news briefing in Gusau, the state capital yesterday, apologized on behalf of the government, saying that the media organizations were shut down for violating the Executive Order No.10, 2022, which came into effect on October 13, 2022.
He said that the government, in the Order, banned all forms of political rallies and meetings in the state due to security concerns, suspended all political activities in the state and totally shut down Anka, Bukuyum and Gummi Local government areas’ roads and other affected towns and villages affected by order No 10, 2022.
Part of the order reads: “In the exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 5(2), 176(2) and 315 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999(as amended) and all other powers enabling me in that behalf, I honorable Dr Bello Muhammad (Matawallen Maradun) MON, Executive Governor, Zamfara State, following the recent spate of attacks and killing of some innocent souls in some communities across some local government areas of the state, particularly Gusau, Tsafe, Gummi, Bukuyum, Anka Bungudu, Maru, Maradun and Laura Namoda, resurgence of some activities of banditry, recent cases of kidnapping in their communities and some major federal high ways in the state.
“And in an effort to curtail the menace of Armed banditry and other related crimes in the state as well as the need to widen the scope of measures taken by the Government so as to strengthen the fight against banditry and other forms of social vices in the state, do hereby issue the following Restrictions Orders;
“The Order may be cited as Restriction of movement and banning of all political activities Order No. 10, 2022 and shall come into operation on the 13th Day of October 2022:
“From the commencement of this Order:
“All political activities in the state has been suspended until when the security of the state improves.;
“Political meetings and gathering at individuals’ residents are also banned with immediate effect.
“Total shut down of Anka, Bukuyum and Gummi Local government areas, roads as well as Yarkufoji Birnin Tudu, Rini, Goran Namaye, Janbako, Faru, Kaya, Boko Road, Bakura to Lambar Damri Road, Mayanchi Daki Takwas to Gummi road Daki Takwas to Zuru road Kucheri, Bawa Ganga, Wanke road, Magami to Dangulbi road and Gusau to Magami road until when the security improves in the areas.
“All movements are henceforth restricted in the mentioned local government areas and towns;
“Danjibga, Kunchin Kalgo and Bagega Markets are hereby closed until when security of the affected areas is restored;
“All security agencies are hereby directed to arrest anybody found violating the restriction order.
“Mobile courts are hereby established to deal with violators of this Order.”
Shinkafi acknowledged that the government action of shutting down the media houses attracted unprecedented reactions and criticisms from various organizations and agencies.
They included broadcast media regulators, Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the International Press Institute (IPI), among others.
The APC chieftain, however, insisted that Governor Matawalle’s action was guided by the powers vested on him as enshrined in relevant sections of the Constitution of the Federal Republic.
According to him, the government has since withdrawn the order given to the Commissioner of Police to arrest and prosecute personnel seen around the affected media organizations.
Shinkafi said the government has also withdrawn the security forces deployed to the Media houses to allow the personnel resume their work.
He called on the Media organizations and all Journalists to respect the state laws and support the government in its effort to tackle banditry and kidnapping in parts of the state.
Source: NAN.
