The Police command in Zamfara, on Friday, called for stronger collaboration with rural communities to boost police community relationship and security.

The police public relations officer (PPRO) of the command, DSP Yazid Abubakar made the appeal in Birnin Magaji during a community dialogue session on mutual accountability.

The dialogue was organised by Voluntary Aid Initiative (VAI), a civil society organisation.

“It was organised with technical support from International Alert and funded by the UK International Development,

“The participants were youths, women groups, persons with disability, religious and community leaders, farmers associations and representatives from Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), among others,” he said.

The PPRO said there was a need for such stronger collaboration to promote mutual understanding in resolving issues in the society.

“We also seek stronger cooperation from these communities, especially in the areas of information and intelligence generation,” the PPRO said.

He commended traditional rulers for their support towards promoting peace and stability in the area.

Also speaking, the executive director of the CSO, Musa Aboki, said the dialogue would enhance police community relations.

“We are implementing this project in Zamfara and Bauchi states .

“It is aimed at boosting between the police and stakeholders’ through dialogue focusing and awareness creation, ” he added.

He said that would also address security challenges affecting communities.

“We engaged various stakeholders to discuss and share ideas on security and other related issues.

“We are expected to identify challenges, foster greater understanding and empathy between the police and community members,” he explained.

A facilitator at the dialogue, Ahmad Hashim, said the project would address complex issues on peace building, conflict prevention, health emergencies, gender-based violence among others.

Mr Hashim noted that there was need for a closer relationship between communities and security agencies to effectively fight crime in the society.

The chairman Birnin Magaji Local Government Council, Abdulhamid Ahmed, reiterated the council’s support to the success of the project.

Mr Ahmed represented by the council’s Deputy Director of Personal Management, Mr Ibrahim Isiyaka urged participants to sustain the collaboration.

In their separate remarks, the district heads of Nasarawa Godal and Birinin Magaji communities, Nura Dan’ali and Aliyu Shehu, respectively, assured their support towards the project.

They assured continued collaboration and synergy to support the police and others security agencies in tackling banditry and other related crimes.

(NAN)