Menchum SDO prohibits walking with sticks, knives and cutlasses

The Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) for the Menchum division, North West region, Abdoullahi Aliou, has prohibited the movement of people with cutlasses, knives, sticks and other deadly objects in his area of jurisdiction. This is contained in an order he signed on August 3rd 2022.

“The usual carrying and movement of persons with objects like knives , cutlasses , sticks , spears or any other object subject to attacking fellow human beings are hereby prohibited from being carried along in towns of Menchum Division”. The Senior Civil Administrator ordered.

The administrative order does not spare persons who are in keeping of firearms of any nature.

“The ownership or keeping of firearms by civilians being natives , Fulanis or Hausas is completely prohibited and therefore the doors of the administration are open for reception of the arms without any prejudice” he adds.

According to the SDO still, only members of authorized vigilante groups are allowed to carry such objects during vigil periods for self – defense and are only authorized to be in their neighborhoods with such weapons. Farmers and graziers are also exempted and will only use sticks and cutlasses while going to their farms for cultivation , grazing or to the cattle markets . Old people using sticks to support themselves and for travelers moving from one village to another in support of themselves are also spared but they must avoid moving around with the sticks in town.

Mr Abdoullahi warns that anyone who violates this order shall be sanctioned in accordance with the laws and regulations in force .