Katsina bans fuel sales in jerrycans, motorcycles

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has announced fresh security measures aimed at curbing banditry and kidnapping across the state, including a ban on the sale and transportation of petroleum products in jerrycans and the closure of Point of Sale businesses and commercial phone-charging points in Matazu and Musawa Local Government Areas.

The measures were contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ibrahim Mohammed, and made available to journalists on Tuesday.

The statement noted that the directives were contained in an Executive Order issued after an emergency security meeting attended by security agencies, traditional rulers and other critical stakeholders.

According to the statement, the new measures are designed to cut off logistics and communication channels allegedly being exploited by criminal elements.

The statement read, “Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has issued a new Executive Order aimed at strengthening security and protecting lives and property across the state, particularly in the ongoing fight against banditry and kidnapping. The Governor announced the measures following an emergency security meeting held today with security agencies, traditional leaders and key stakeholders.

“As part of the Executive Order, the sale, purchase, transportation and storage of petroleum products in jerrycans have been banned across Katsina State with immediate effect. The measure is designed to prevent the diversion of fuel supplies to criminal elements operating in remote locations. The Governor also approved the immediate closure of all Point of Sale (POS) businesses and commercial phone-charging points in Matazu and Musawa Local Government Areas. Security assessments have shown that these facilities are being exploited by criminal networks to facilitate their activities.

“In addition, the use of motorcycles has been banned throughout Matazu and Musawa Local Government Areas. The restriction is intended to disrupt the movement and operational activities of bandits and kidnappers who often rely on motorcycles for transportation. Governor Radda stated that the safety of citizens remains the highest priority of his administration and assured residents that the government will continue to work closely with security agencies to restore peace and stability in all parts of the state.

“He called on residents to support security efforts by complying fully with the directives and providing useful information to security agencies whenever necessary. More importantly, the state government will not treat any defaulters of these new directives with kid gloves. The Katsina State Government remains committed to taking all lawful and necessary measures to ensure that communities across the state remain safe, secure and conducive to economic and social activities,” the statement added.