Former minister of aviation Femi Fani-Kayode has backed Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle on the latter’s call for Zamfara residents to defend themselves against bandits.
The governor’s call followed the abduction of 73 students of Government Day Secondary school, Kaya in Maradun Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday.
Mr Fani-Kayode described the abduction carried out by bandits as “cowardly, shameful and barbaric”.
Restating the words of the governor in an Instagram post on Thursday, the ex-minister wrote, “In response to the terror that is being unleashed against the state, Governor Bello Matawalle has directed the people to rise up to the last man and defend themselves against the bandits.
“He said, ‘I am calling on the people of Zamfara state , particularly those in the rural areas to use all the available weapons at their disposal and protect themselves whenever the bandits attack their villages. As from today you should come out en masse and face the bandits if they come to your village. Do not sleep in the night and if you get any information the bandits are trying to attack you, try to ambush them with all the weapons in your possession.’”
Fani-Kayode added, “I expect no less from my friend and brother Matawalle and I am very proud of him. It is time to take this battle to the gates of the enemy and to mobilise our people to resist them with every means available.
“I stand shoulder to shoulder with him and the good people of Zamfara. May God defend and deliver the state and indeed Nigeria from evil and bloodthirsty men.”
The former minister had in recent times spent time with Matawalle. He was in the governor’s company at the wedding of Yusuf Buhari, son of President Muhammadu Buhari, last month in Kano.
