President Muhammadu Buhari has asked security forces to shoot anyone carrying a rifle in the bush, as part of efforts to secure the country.
Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, revealed this in an interview with BBC Hausa.
The directive appears to be specific to bushes in Zamfara and other parts of Northern Nigeria.
“The president has ordered the security forces to go into the woods and shoot anyone they see with an AK 47 rifle,” Shehu reportedly said.
The President on Tuesday had ordered a no-fly-zone in Zamfara and also banned all forms of mining in the state.
According to Shehu, the security situation in Zamfara has worsened due to the rise in illegal gold mining encouraged by a thirst for Nigerian gold in Dubai.
President Buhari’s directives were preceded by the kidnapping of hundreds of girls last Friday.
Most of the girls regained their freedom on Tuesday after successful negotiations with their abductors, Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle said.
