The Zamfara state chapter of the Association ofLocal Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, has urged the Nigeria Police Force topermit the Civilian Joint Task, CJTF, to carry rifles to ease the fight againstbandits in the northwestern state. The association’s chairman, Mohammed Umar, made theappeal in Gusau during a Stakeholders Security Town Hall Meeting with theacting inspector General of Mohammed Adamu. He said that members of the CJTF, who were recentlyrecruited by the state government to complement the effort of security agents,were conversant with the terrain of their respective areas and could identifymost of the criminals operating around them. The ALGON boss, who was represented by the Chairmanof Zurmi Local Government Area Auwal Moriki, regretted that the military hadwritten to the state government requesting the withdrawal of the JTF. Mining Activities: Association Promises ComplianceWith FG’S Directive In Zamfara The Miners Association of Nigeria says it willcomply with the directive by the Federal Government, to suspend all miningactivities in Zamfara state. The Association’s National President, Kabir Kankarawho made this known in a statement in Abuja said they welcome any measure aimedat restoring sanctity of human lives and investments of their legitimatemembers operating in Zamfara state. The Federal Government had earlier announced thesuspension of all forms of mining activities in the state on April 7th . The Acting Inspector-General of Police, MuhammedAdamu, who announced the government order, said the suspension was part ofmeasures to check banditry in the state. He explained that the order followed intelligencereport that clearly established a strong and glaring nexus between theactivities of armed bandits and illicit miners with both mutually re-enforcingeach other.