The Zamfara State Police Command has redeployed its Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in Kaura-Namoda local government area over allegations of conniving with bandits to terrorize some communities in the area.
Inhabitants of some communities of Kungurki village in the local government had in a video which has gone viral accused the DPO of conniving with the armed bandits to terrorise them.
However, the state Police Command have decided to redeployed the DPO rather than placing him on suspension pending conclusion of investigations of his alleged involvement in criminal activities.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Shehu, in a statement said no formal complaints had been lodged against the 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 statement read, “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.
“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.”
Shehu said the State Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro, had 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
