Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has rolled out new security measures aimed at curbing banditry and kidnapping across the state.
The measures include a ban on the sale and transportation of petroleum products in jerrycans, as well as the closure of Point of Sale (POS) outlets and commercial phone-charging businesses in Matazu and Musawa Local Government Areas.
The directives were contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ibrahim Mohammed, and released to journalists on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the decision followed an Executive Order issued after an emergency security meeting involving security agencies, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders.
The government said the move is intended to block supply and communication channels allegedly used by criminal groups to operate.
The statement noted that the sale, purchase, storage, and movement of fuel in jerrycans have been prohibited across the state with immediate effect to prevent diversion to criminal elements in remote areas.
It also stated that POS operators and phone-charging points in the affected local government areas have been shut down after security reports indicated they were being used to support criminal activities.
In addition, the use of motorcycles has been banned in Matazu and Musawa LGAs as part of efforts to restrict the movement of bandits and kidnappers who rely heavily on them for operations.
Radda maintained that the safety of residents remains the government’s top priority and assured that authorities will continue working with security agencies to restore peace across the state.
He also urged residents to comply with the directives and support security efforts by reporting suspicious activities.
The government warned that violators of the new rules would face strict consequences, reaffirming its commitment to taking all lawful steps to ensure safety and stability in the state.