The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Zamfara state branch has ordered five commercial banks in the state to immediately release new naira notes to Point of service (POS) operators or face sanction.
Speaking during a sensitization workshop organised by the association of POS operators in Zamfara state held Thursday in Gusau, the controller of CBN in the state, Mallam Buhari Abbas explained why CBN introduced the new naira notes.
The state controller of CBN further urged operators of POS to consider and assist opening of a new bank account to any one who want to deposit money and has no account.
“Don’t allow people to lose their money because of lack of account, assist those who want to deposit their money”. he stressed.
He explained that the Central bank of Nigeria introduced the new naira notes to reduce notes circulation in the hand of public.
“Over 80% of naira notes were in the hands of people, hence there is need to reduce the notes at hand, the policy will harmonise the interest rate”.
According to him, the introduction of new CBN policy is to bring more development, “the policy if properly utilized, business will surely improve”.he said.
Consequently, the state CBN controller ordered five commercial banks: First Bank, Access bank, UBA , FCMB and Zennith bank to immediately release new naira notes to operators of POS, specifically those operators with account in the stated banks.
Earlier on, the association of POS operators has cried for help to the CBN over non availability of new naira notes in the state.
They lamented that both rural and Urban communities were finding it difficult to assess cash at Point of service across the state.
They further called for more enlightenment campaign to their members and general public about the e-naira policy across the state.
Banditry: Zamfara police arrest over 250 suspects
The Zamfara State Police Command under the leadership of CP Kolo Yusuf has continued to sustain it onslaught against the activities of criminal elements, saying over 250 suspects on banditry related cases were arrested since the onslaught commenced across the state.
Briefing newsmen on Wednesday evening at the police command headquarters in Gusau, the police public relations officer, SP Mohammed Shehu said more Success were recorded in the state.
He said “The onslaught since it commencement had resulted in the unprecedented arrest of over two hundred and fifty suspects for Banditry related cases, as well as recovery of Arms and Ammunition ranging from AK 47, AK 49, Rocket lunchers, RPGs, GPMGs, Lar and other calibre of sophisticated rifles”.
According to him, the effort of the command has helped tremendously in stabilizing the security of Zamfara which was hitherto worrisome and disturbing.
He maintained that some of the recent achievements recorded included the recovery of Ak 47 rifle and three fabricated revolver pistols along Munhaye forest in Tsafe local government area of the state.
“Police Tactical operatives on confidence building patrol along Tsafe – Munhaye forest, acted on intelligence report and conducted a rigorous patrol/stop and search with view to arresting some gun runners who were on their way to Munhaye forest to supply Arms and Ammunition to the bandits”.
He said the gun runners on noticing Police presence, abandoned the sack containing the Arms and Ammunition and fled into the thick forest.
He further said 3 fraudsters who specialised in defrauding bank customers at various ATM machines in Kano, Kaduna, Kastina and Zamfara states were arrested in the state.
“On 24th January 2023, Police detectives acted based on complain by one Abubakar Lawali ‘M’ of Talata Mafara LGA. That on same date, while at the Zenith Bank ATM Gallery Talata branch, suspects conspired and defrauded the sum of one million Naira (#1, 000,000) by withdrawing same from account through a POS operator via his ATM Card”.
According to the complainant, the suspects succeeded in their action when they offered to help him to make withdrawal when he could not make the transactions due to network problem.
“They collected his ATM card and decietfully withdrew the money from POS operator. In the course of interrogation, all the suspects confessed to the crime and further stated how they carried out similar fraud at different banks in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara States respectively”.
“The sum of One Million Naira (#1, 000,000) cash belonging to the complainant and a suspected Honda Accord Anaconda Vehicle were recovered from them as exhibits”.
He said Discreet investigation is in progress with a view to arrest other members of their gang and charge them to court for prosecution.
“On 24th January, 2023 Police detectives acted on intelligence report and arrested the above mentioned suspects who were both residing in Bela village under Bungudu LGA. The suspects before their arrest were part of criminal syndicate that gave information to Bandits and also supplied all form of dried leaves suspected to be Indian helm and other dangerous drugs”.
“Their actions have continued to aggrevate Attacks, Kidnapping and killing of innocent people of Bungudu, Kaura Namoda and Birnin Magaji LGAs by the bandits”.
“On 23rd January, 2023, Police Operatives based on intelligence report arrested the above mentioned suspect. The suspect has been a member of criminal syndicate that have been operating in Kaduna, Zamfara and other Neighbouring states”.
He further revealed that In the course of Police investigation, the suspect confessed that, on several occasions, he and other members of their gang participated in the Kidnapping of unspecified number of people and collected millions of Naira as ransom from the relations of the victims.
“The suspect confessed to have rustled unspecified number of cows and sheep. Suspect will be charged to Court for prosecution as soon as investigation is completed”.
