Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle has expressed disgust at the extent of damage caused when a fire gutted Unguwar Gwaza cemetery in Gusau.
The governor, therefore, directed the Zamfara State Road Traffic Agency (ZAROTA) to take charge of the security affairs of all cemeteries in the state.
Matawalle, who was at the scene of the incident to determine the extent of damage on Wednesday, expressed worry on how such holy places could be set on fire for some personal goals of either power or otherwise.
He appealed to scholars and various communities to watch over the activities of bad elements in the society and report suspicious activities to the authorities for action.
The governor also warned the perpetrators to desist or face the consequence of their actions.
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This is just as the Commissioner for Religious Affairs in the state, Alhaji Tukur Jangebe, said the fire was suspected to have been caused by the activities of Indian hemp smokers or ritualists.
He emphasized the need for the government to take serious measures to stop the menace, saying it could cause calamity to the state.
Jangebe added that it was important to provide permanent security guards to all the cemeteries across the state.
The Herald recalls that the state government earmarked N1 billion for the construction of Jumu’at Mosques, Ramadan welfare package and renovation of cemeteries and other religious activities in the state for the year 2020.