Zamfara House of Assembly passes bill to punish kidnapping, banditry, and other crimes

The Zamfara State House of Assembly on Monday passed a bill to outlaw and punish banditry, cattle rustling, cultism, kidnapping, terrorism and other random crimes.

According to DAILY POST, the executive bill sent by Gov. Matawalle to the House of Representatives was passed as lawmakers held their plenary session.

Nasiru Bello-Lawal (APC-Bungudu West), the Deputy House Leader and chairman, House Committee on Justice and Judiciary, introduced the bill to the House of Representatives and called on lawmakers to consider and agree on the bill.

Lawmakers asked members of the House to read the bill and allow it third reading.

However, the spokesman, Nasiru Magarya, noted that the bill has already passed its first and second readings and other rigorous legislative procedures, including a public hearing.

"It is necessary for the bill to be passed by the House, considering how important it is to contribute to peace and stability in the state," Magarya said.

Lawmakers unanimously agreed on the third reading of the bill.

The Speaker instructed House clerk,  Alhaji Shehu Anka to read the bill at the third reading, after which it passed.

The spokesman commended Gov. Matawall for introducing new policies and measures to mitigate the threat of insecurity to the well-being of people in the state.

"I commend the governor for these proactive measures, but they can only succeed if the prayers and support of all citizens are united," he said.

In further development, the House also passed on first reading, a bill establishing the Zamfara College of Nursing Science Gusau.

This followed a motion on the bill tabled by House Speaker Alhaji Faruku Dosara during the plenary session.

In the same session, the House of Representatives reviewed and confirmed 5 government nominees presented to it by Gov Bello Matawall as Commissioner and Special Counsel.

The spokesman mentioned the name of Muhammad Abubakar Gummi, the former Dep. Speaker of the House of Representatives reviewed and confirmed as Commissioner.

Sambo Garba-Marafa, Abdulkadir Muhammad, Muhammad Kabiru and Bala Dakitakwas were reviewed and confirmed as Special Counsels by the House of Representatives.