Gov. Dauda Lawal of Zamfara has constituted a standing committee for the assessment, support, and rehabilitation of people affected by banditry across the state.

This is contained in a statement by the press secretary in the deputy governor’s office, Shehu Adamu, on Monday in Gusau.

Mr Adamu said that the committee was mandated to provide immediate interventions and condolences to victims of banditry within 48 hours of any incident.

He also said that the committee was to conduct detailed field assessments of affected areas to determine the scale and nature of damages, the number of victims who lost their lives or displaced, as well as properties destroyed, such as infrastructure, farmlands, and assets.

According to him, the committee is to provide recommendations for medium and long-term strategies for rehabilitation and prevention of future occurrences.

He said the committee was to liaise with relevant ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) as necessary in the course of its assignment and submit periodic reports to the Office of the Secretary to the state government.

According to Mr Adamu, the committee is chaired by the deputy governor, Mani Mummuni, with the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Bilyaminu Isma’il, as vice chairman.

Other members of the committee include: the commissioners for security and home affairs, local government and chieftaincy affairs, humanitarian and disaster management, and housing and town planning, among others.

The press secretary said during the committee’s inaugural meeting, its chairman, Mr Mummuni, expressed gratitude to Mr Lawal for entrusting them with the responsibility and assured that the committee would justify the confidence reposed in it.

(NAN)