Zamfara: Stakeholders seek stronger border surveillance to curb banditry

In Zamfara State, key figures are pushing for enhanced border monitoring to combat the surge in banditry and kidnapping. Governor Dauda Lawal convened a meeting on Wednesday with a delegation led by former Colombian National Security Adviser, Sergio Jaramillo. The gathering included representatives from the National Security Adviser's office, the Zamfara State Government, various security bodies, traditional leaders, civil society groups, and academics.

They urged strengthening surveillance along the porous borders to thwart the smuggling of weapons and drugs that fuel criminal activities. The stakeholders also emphasized that discussions with bandits should only commence when the government holds a strong hand and stressed the importance of traditional institutions in the fight against insecurity.

They highlighted that continued operations against bandits and other criminals would aid in restoring peace to Zamfara and the broader North-West region. The Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, Ahmad Bello, noted that the primary hurdle in the battle against banditry lies not in intelligence gathering, but in operational shortcomings.

He called for bolstered operational capabilities to bolster the fight for law and order across the state and region. The Zamfara Government had previously advocated for the creation of a victims' support fund as part of its comprehensive security and peacebuilding strategy. The Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Nakwada, stressed that reconciliation efforts must be pursued within the legal framework without undermining justice, accountability, or community security.

He also stated that the proposed victims' support fund would be integrated into the state's broader peace and security framework.