Zamfara State has been plagued by banditry for years, resulting in loss of lives and properties.
In a bid to tackle the insecurity, Governor Dauda Lawal appealed to the United Nations for assistance.
Responding to this appeal, the UN Office On Drugs and Crime (UNODC) sent a team led by Thomas Parker, officer in charge of the Counterterrorism Unit, to gather information about the security threats in the state.
During a visit to the police command headquarters in Gusau, Parker met with the Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Dalijan, who revealed that the police had arrested high-profile individuals, including a member of the State House of Assembly and a former local government chairman, for their involvement in banditry.
However, the Commissioner did not disclose their names. Dalijan appealed to the UN to replicate their success in Maiduguri, and sought their assistance in training on investigation and establishment of forensic laboratories to enhance the investigation and prosecution of suspected criminals.
Parker assured the police of the UN’s readiness to conduct an assessment of the security situation, understand the causes and challenges, and provide support to address the threats.