Banditry: 46 suspects arrested, 10 killed in six days

The Inspector-General of Police, Ag. IGP Mohammed Adamu has disclosed that 46 suspects have been arrested for their involvement in kidnapping and banditry in some states in the North.

The Police boss also said 10 suspects have so far been arrested in the onslaught against bandits.

According to the IG, the success was recorded after Operation Puff Adder was launched on the 5th of April.

The IG also noted that the country is experiencing an upsurge in crime since the general elections was concluded.

He disclosed this in Abuja at the Force Headquarters during the monthly meeting with police management and other senior police officers.

Giving details of the successes recorded, the IG said: “Indeed, it is in furtherance to our commitment to complimenting you that Operation Puff Adder was conceptualized and launched on 5th April, 2019 to address in the shortest possible time the threat of kidnapping, armed robbery and armed banditry in Kogi, Niger, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina States as well as the FCT.

“It is gladdening to note that this initiative has recorded remarkable achievements. Between 5th April, 2019 when the operation was launched and today, the initiative has recorded the following achievements:

“Number of kidnapping suspects and armed bandits arrested are 46, ten suspects were killed in operations while two victims have been safely rescued.”

On the number of firearms recovered from the suspects, Adamu said: “18 AK 47 rifles and 9 other locally fabricated and automatic weapons were recovered, 1300 live AK47 ammunition were recovered, 28 live cartridges were recovered while ten extra rifle magazines were recovered.”

On the increasing rate of crime, the IG said: “Criminal records point to a significant rise in crime following the conclusion of the general elections. While some security experts have attributed the trend to the disengagement of the criminal elements from politically-related activities for which they might have been engaged during the elections, others have attributed the trend to socio-economic factors.

“While the debate on the cause of the upsurge in crime could be a subject of debate or academic conjecture, what remains undebatable is the fact that the primary and statutory duty of the Nigeria Police as the lead agency in internal security framework, is the prevention and detection of crime and the maintenance of our internal security order.

“This places on us the responsibility of assuring the citizens of their safety and security without any form of excuses. It also challenges us to rededicate ourselves to our statutory duties, constantly review our law enforcement strategies and re-order our policing priorities towards stemming the tide of crime. It is within this context that this meeting was summoned.”

The IG while charging his men said: “I expect you to replicate this strategy in your various commands in order to restore order in the public space and enhance public confidence in the Police.

The IG while seeking the support of the citizens, assured them of the renewed commitment to emplacing effective strategies towards addressing the current security challenges.

“The threats might appear challenging, but I can assure that they are surmountable and we shall provide the requisite leadership needed to address them.”

“We, however, cannot do it alone. We seek the citizens’ support and we trust that you shall all partner with us to present a common front in the war against criminal elements that are bent on re-ordering our national values and testing our common will.”