How Zamfara Police Returned Thousands Of IDPs To Ancestral Homes

Insecurity in Zamfara State has persisted for over a decade, leaving a trail of destroyed lives, ruined properties, and thousands of displaced people. Recently, however, the Zamfara State Police Command braved the monster, successfully returning and securing thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in their ancestral homes. NICHOLAS DEKERA writes.

In a significant step towards restoring peace, the Zamfara State Police Command has successfully facilitated the return of thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to Fegin Kanawa Village in the Gusau local government area. The community is returning home after more than a year of displacement triggered by persistent bandit attacks.

The initiative aligns directly with the police command’s strategic vision to securely return displaced families to their ancestral homes, a high-priority matter as the farming season fast approaches.

Speaking on the development, the Zamfara State commissioner of Police, CP Ahmad Muhammad Bello, emphasised that the ultimate target is “to restore normalcy, strengthen public confidence, and ensure the protection of lives and property across the state.”

The returning residents were assured by the Nigeria Police Force of robust security measures, enabling them to safely resume farming and other lawful activities without fear of attacks, kidnapping, or intimidation by criminal elements.

In line with the police command’s actions, the state took immediate steps to reinforce its security architecture by establishing the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU). The new unit was officially launched by the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, at Fegin Kanawa Village in the Gusau Local Government Area.

Speaking at the launch, the commissioner of Police expressed deep appreciation to Governor Dauda Lawal for his continuous support of security operations and community safety initiatives, noting that the state’s backing has been vital to the Command’s recent successes.

CP Ahmad Muhammad Bello reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering determination to rid Zamfara of banditry and violent crime, warning that there would be no hiding place for criminal elements within the state.

The commissioner emphasised that the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) is built strictly on the principles of professionalism, accountability, discipline, and respect for human rights, in line with the Nigeria Police Act 2020. To ensure this, he added, all personnel attached to the unit have undergone intensive, specialised training designed to maximise operational efficiency and professional conduct.

Meanwhile, Governor Dauda Lawal commended the Inspector-General of Police for establishing the unit, describing the initiative as a timely, strategic, and critical piece of the ongoing efforts to dismantle insecurity in the state. The Governor also applauded the proactive leadership, resilience, and operational strategies of CP Ahmad Muhammad Bello in fortifying local security and restoring confidence across affected communities.

Speaking exclusively with LEADERSHIP  Weekend on Friday afternoon, the Police public relations officer (PPRO) for the Zamfara State command, DSP Yazid Abubakar, confirmed that the tactical squad is already deeply embedded in the field.

“The Violent Crime Response Unit has come to stay, and the unit will remain directly within the communities. We are not keeping them stationed in the major towns; we are taking the battle directly to the criminals. In fact, just  Thursday evening, our men, led by the Violent Crime Response Unit, ransacked seven villages where suspected bandits were known to be hiding. DSP Abubakar said.”

Addressing the critical issue of safety on farmland where the majority of past attacks have occurred, DSP Yazid Abubakar assured the public that the era of fear is over. “The villagers no longer need security escorts to the farm. The bandits won’t have any breathing space to invade farms again, the PPRO stated

Confirming this tightened security grid, 40-year-old Asma’u Gambo, a local Fura (cow milk) vendor, shared her experience. Speaking in Hausa, she expressed her relief: “Between Thursday and this (Friday) morning, I visited three villages within this community to see if I could safely resume my business. Everywhere I went, I saw many mobile policemen on motorcycles. Last night, I thought they would return to the town, but Alhamdulillah, they are still here.”

Hon. Halliru Andi, an APC stakeholder and strong supporter of Governor Dauda Lawal, who hails from the Gusau local government area, also lauded the governor’s unwavering commitment to funding and supporting security agencies. He added, “With this development, our people can finally farm without the constant fear of attacks.”

Other key community leaders in Fegin Kanawa echoed these sentiments. Speaking warmly in their native Hausa, they commended the police command for its bravery, with one leader noting emotionally, “They have given us our lives back.” They confirmed.