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 renewed efforts to tackle insecurity in the state.
The directive, issued under the administration of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, forms part of a broader set of emergency security measures aimed at curbing the activities of bandits and other criminal elements operating within the affected areas.
According to the government, intelligence reports indicated that some criminal networks have been exploiting POS services and charging centres to facilitate financial transactions, communication, and logistics for their operations. The shutdown is therefore intended to disrupt these channels and weaken the operational capacity of such groups.
The order followed a high-level security meeting involving key stakeholders and security agencies, where fresh strategies were adopted to address the persistent security challenges in parts of the state.
In addition to the closure of POS outlets and charging hubs, the government also announced a ban on the sale and storage of petrol in jerrycans, as well as restrictions on the use of motorcycles in the affected local government areas. Authorities believe these measures will further limit the mobility and supply chains of criminal elements.
Residents of Matazu and Musawa have been urged to comply fully with the directives, as security operatives have been mandated to enforce the order strictly. The government warned that violators would face legal consequences.
While acknowledging the potential economic impact of the decision on small business operators and residents, the state government maintained that the measures are necessary to safeguard lives and restore peace in the affected communities.
Security operations are expected to be intensified in the coming days as authorities work to stabilise the areas and prevent further attacks.
