Residents express concern over frequency...
By Ola Kay
No fewer than two persons reportedly died in a gun powder explosion that rocked a local market in Talata-Mafara Market, Zamfara State.
Sources at the scene of the incident stated that the tragedy which occurred on Tuesday, resulted in widespread panic as traders and shoppers run for safety in a direction inside a busy market.
An eyewitness was quoted as saying that the explosion started from a shop dealing on locally fabricated firearms
A Channel Television report stated that the Chairman of Talata-Mafara Local Government, Yahaya Yari, said that after receiving distress call, injured victims numbering 44 from the explosion were referred to Usman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto for medical treatment. Although, he claimed no live was lost.
And, following the incident, the council chairman of the area has announced an immediate total ban on sale of locally made firearms in the market.
Yari stated that he had instructed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Talata-Mafara to enforce the ban with immediate effect.
“This is not the first time it is happening, it has happened twice before today, I have announced a ban on sales of locally-made guns in the market by the local blacksmith, we cannot continue to experience this type of tragedy.” he said.
There have been widespread concerns surrounding locally made firearms, often used by vigilante groups, just a safety and regulation may have been neglected. This is apart from the fact that Zamfara State has been fighting escalating insecurity, banditry and kidnappings and heightened criminality.
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