Police redeploy Zamfara DPO for ‘working with bandits’

The Zamfara police command has redeployed its divisional police officer (DPO) in Kaura-Namoda following allegations of conniving with bandits terrorising the area.

The state, despite the peace agreement it signed with bandits, has suffered series of attacks from the criminal elements.

Mohammed Shehu, the command’s public relations officer, in a statement on Monday, said no formal complaints have been lodged against the unnamed DPO.

He, however, asked members of the public to assist the police in its investigation by contacting the command with credible evidence against the DPO .

“The attention of the Zamfara State Police Command has been drawn to a viral video trending on social media platforms wherein the communities of Kungurki village, in Kaura Namoda LGA, accused the DPO of Kaura Namoda Division of conniving with recalcitrant armed bandits who were making life unbearable for the people,” he said.

“Available records at the command revealed no formal complaint against the DPO in respect of the allegation.

“However, the command enjoins members of the public, especially the aggrieved community, that any person or group with credible evidence against the DPO, should come to the Police Command Headquarters and assist in the ongoing investigation.

“The DPO, as a custodian of peace and tranquility, has the mandate to interact and engage with the two warring Hausa and Fulani bandit communities to a dialogue so as to strengthen the ongoing peace process of the state government.”

But he said Abutu Yaro, the state commissioner of police, has immediately redeployed the DPO to the police command headquarters as OC provost, while Umar Abdullahi, assistant commissioner of police, has been appointed as acting DPO of the Division.

Shehu called on members of the public with credible evidence against the former DPO to contact the acting DPO through his phone number– 08162793939.