BREAKING: State Govt Shuts Down POS Businesses, Phone Charging Centres, Bans Motorcycles

• The Katsina State Government has ordered the closure of POS businesses and commercial phone charging centres in two local government areas, while imposing fresh restrictions aimed at curbing banditry and kidnapping.

The Katsina State Government has ordered the immediate closure of all Point of Sale (POS) businesses and commercial phone charging centres in Matazu and Musawa Local Government Areas as part of new measures to tackle insecurity.

The government also banned the sale, purchase, transportation and storage of petroleum products in jerrycans across the state, while prohibiting the use of motorcycles in the two affected LGAs.

Governor Dikko Radda announced the directives through an executive order issued after an emergency security meeting involving security agencies, traditional rulers and other stakeholders.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula-Mohammed.

According to the governor, the latest measures are aimed at curbing banditry and kidnapping across the state.

Radda said security assessments had revealed that POS outlets and commercial phone charging centres in Matazu and Musawa were allegedly being exploited by criminal elements to support their operations.

He explained that the ban on petroleum products in jerrycans was introduced to prevent fuel supplies from reaching bandits operating in remote areas.

The governor further stated that the restriction on motorcycle use in the affected local governments was designed to disrupt the movement of bandits and kidnappers, who often rely on motorcycles for transportation.

Radda assured residents that the protection of lives and property remains the top priority of his administration.

He said the state government would continue to collaborate closely with security agencies to restore peace and stability across Katsina.

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The governor urged residents to comply fully with the new directives and support security agencies with credible information that could aid ongoing operations.

He also warned that anyone found violating the measures would face the full weight of the law.

Radda reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to taking all lawful and necessary steps to ensure communities across the state remain safe and conducive for economic and social activities.