Zamfara Studies Colombia Peace Strategy to Combat Banditry

The Zamfara State Government has concluded a comprehensive review of Colombia’s conflict resolution strategy as part of fresh efforts to address insurgency and banditry in the state.

A delegation headed by Governor Dauda Lawal recently visited Bogotá in Colombia to understudy the communication and demobilisation framework adopted during the country’s prolonged conflict with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

The visit focused on how Colombia combined military pressure with persuasive communication to encourage fighters to lay down their arms and reintegrate into society.

Governor Lawal said the Colombian experience demonstrates that force alone cannot secure lasting peace.

He explained that communication was treated as a central pillar of strategy, deployed alongside security operations to build trust, offer alternatives, and reduce recruitment into armed groups.

Colombia’s approach relied heavily on carefully structured messaging tailored to specific audiences.

Active combatants received clear guidance on surrender procedures and reintegration benefits, while families were targeted with emotional appeals about reunion and safety.

Communities were prepared to accept former fighters, and the wider public was engaged with a collective narrative that framed peace as a shared national responsibility.

A key element of the strategy was the use of testimonies from ex fighters who publicly shared stories of regret, hardship, and renewed hope after demobilisation.

These personal accounts provided a powerful counter narrative that resonated more deeply than official government statements.

In rural areas where state presence was weak, Colombia utilised community radio stations broadcasting in local languages to spread peace messages.

Trusted voices including religious leaders, respected elders, and former combatants were amplified to overcome public distrust and lend credibility to the campaign.

Governor Lawal acknowledged that Zamfara’s security landscape differs from Colombia’s past conflict.

Bandit groups in the state are loosely organised and driven by mixed motives such as economic hardship, revenge, and criminal enterprise. He stressed that any adaptation of the Colombian model must reflect local realities.

With literacy and infrastructure challenges in some parts of Zamfara, the government is exploring accessible communication channels including local FM radio, mosque announcements, market square broadcasts, and voice messages circulated on WhatsApp.

Officials believe that credible messengers could include reformed bandits, Islamic scholars, traditional rulers, and community leaders.

Beyond discouraging violence, authorities also plan to highlight vocational training opportunities, youth empowerment initiatives, and stories of individuals who have rebuilt their lives.

By promoting realistic alternatives, the state hopes to weaken the appeal of armed groups.

The Zamfara Government said it will adapt the lessons from Colombia into local languages and cultural contexts as part of broader efforts to restore security, rebuild trust, and promote sustainable peace across the state.