Ritualists, cultists to die in Zamfara – Gov Yari

Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State has vowed to enforce the death penalty on any person or group found guilty of ritual killings or cultism in the state, in accordance with Islamic laws.

The governor gave the warning yesterday in Gusau at the weekly preaching session, organised by the state's Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Reacting to reports of incessant killings and disappearance of persons, particularly children in Gusau and other towns, Yari, who condemned the crimes, said they were embarrassing the government.

"If found guilty of killing any person for any reason, the death penalty will be enforced on the culprits," he said.

Yari warned ritual killers and cultists to relocate from the state or face the full consequences of their actions, according to the dictates of the law and without fear or favour.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that scores of people mostly under-aged children and teenagers had been reported missing in Gusau.

Their whereabout had remained a mystery in the last few months (NAN)