Zamfara State Government has been exchanging ideas with a Colombian delegation led by its former National Security Adviser, Sergio Jaramillo in a two-day dialogue on community-based security strategies.
The meeting in Gusau focused on lessons from Colombia’s experience in tackling insecurity and how they could be adapted to address the persistent banditry confronting communities across Zamfara State.
For communities in Zamfara that have endured years of banditry, finding lasting solutions to insecurity remains a major concern.
It was in a bid to achieve problem solving measures that the dialogue brought together the Colombian delegation, the Office of the National Security Adviser and key stakeholders in the state.
The objective is to identify security challenges and explore practical ways of improving cooperation between security agencies and civilian communities.
Discussions in the dialogue also examined how to bridge the gap between security structures and local communities, with emphasis on the role of residents in providing credible information to security agencies.
Presenting a paper titled “Bridging the Gaps Between Security Architectures and Civilian Communities: The Colombian Experience and the Critical Role of the Zamfara State Government,” the Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Bello, called for improved operational capabilities.
He maintained that the challenge in the fight against banditry is not primarily the gathering of intelligence, but the failure to translate available intelligence into effective operations.
Among the measures proposed are stronger border surveillance, sustained military and security operations against bandits, improved information and intelligence sharing, and mechanisms for converting local knowledge into verified intelligence for rapid and coordinated action.
Governor Dauda Lawal, who attended the final day of the meeting, welcomed the Colombian delegation and other participants.
The Governor highlighted his administration’s efforts to sustain offensive operations against banditry, stressing that while reconciliation could be considered, it must be pursued from a position of strength and not weakness.
Traditional rulers, heads of security agencies and members of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards were among those who participated in the meeting.
For Zamfara, the engagement offers an opportunity to draw from Colombia’s experience and strengthen collaboration between security agencies, government and communities in the search for lasting peace.
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(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
